Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

We were a fair way off the mark all day, every time we got a run on they countered with successive goals.
Their small forward line worked well.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Just looking at the stats, they were slightly ahead in possessions, we beat then in contested possessions by 3, and we had 8 more clearances, 4 more contested marks, they had 12 more tackles, better disposal efficiency (which I'm not sure what it means, as I don't really know how they evaluate it anyway), and I50's were identical.

I'm guessing not enough work rate, and poor decision making/disposal.

Something we should definitely be able to bounce back from, and we really need to focus and go out looking for a big percentage booster next week.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

At least we are playing Richmond next week ;-)

My thoughts

• In the first quarter Collingwood were far harder at the ball, and they ran much harder into space, and put immense pressure on us everytime we had the ball
• Coming back from a 5-6 goal defecit was very hard work, and used a lot of energy, and I'm happy we showed that we could push ourselves back into the game.
• We kicked to, and looked for Hall far to many times
• Having Minson and Hall int he forward line doesnt work, especially when they have Johnson, Hahn, Gia etc surrounding them- not exactly the quickest guys in the league
• Not having anyone at Hall's feet / drop of the ball
• Boyd's ability to find the ball was amazing, Cross didnt stop trying, Hudson was impressive when he wasnt giving away free kicks, Gilbee was good, as was Harbrow (albeit he didnt have a chance to attack / rebound very much today)
• At the other end of the scale, Williams was really down on confidence- especially when the ball hit the ground, and the pace of the game was a little quick for him
• Addison tried hard but didnt offer us much
• Basicaly we were out run, and played against a much more physical team who simply were more hungry for the ball. Our skills were sharp as a knife at times, and later blunt as a stone

Its awazing what two weeks can make, to the team and to this forum

We have Ward, Eagleton, Morris & Moles as possible additions to the team next week (injury permitting for some of them)

[ledge]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

We fell into our hold habit of booting the ball into pockets, like we never recruited Hall.
Stop and started in backline when clearing which is a major giveaway we are in trouble.

What was with us giving Collingwood a wing all to themselves today?

Hall I thought did what he could, wasnt given enough help or looked for on the right occasions.

Murphy was trying to play up forward and down back (the old Chris Grant fill the problem area role).

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

So what went wrong today, those who saw the game?

Everything.

Our defensive pressure and accountability was extremely poor for most of the match. Collingwood were streaming out of defence and spotted up free players through the midfield and particularly up forward at will. For some reason, our players tried to 'zone' by playing 15m in front of their opponent. All Collingwood did was run, carry and kick it over our head. We were continually out of position and as a result, often out muscled.

It's a long year - but this is a dreadful performance from a club aspiring to win a Premiership. Losing is part of the game - but getting belted isn't a good sign. Hell - Geelong and St. Kilda didn't play all that well, but did enough to win. We were spanked.

Looked very slow and were clueless as to how to beat their zones. Really frustrating to see us bomb the ball forward almost every time we got our hands on the footy forward of the center.

Boyd racked up the possessions but was poor. He turned it over and rarely looked to pick out an option going forward. Fumbled a bit too.

Cross was shocking. Spent more time on the ground than he did running. Fumbled, played from behind, was easily brushed aside and bombed the ball.

I have concerns over Gilbee and Harbrow and whether or not they can regain touch. Both look very ordinary by foot and it's costing us.

Malthouse seems to have the 'tactical wood' over Eade. Our players have been unable to adjust but full credit to Collingwood - very well drilled. Out played us and proved they're a very, very good football side.

* Murphy the only positive for mine. Made smart decisions, moved well, took some strong marks and hit his targets as both a lead-up CHF and across the back flank.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

I think we were out-coached. Pies were set for the game we were thinking that we are the golden team. Just turn up and win. Got jumped AGAIN by Collingwood....then played catchup all day. Needed to be switched on, smarter, play more tempo footy.

[choconmientay]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

I thought the tide turned against us when we (if i can recall correctly it was Gilbee) missed an easy kick at goal and only scored a behind. That should have put us in front and build up some momentum going into the last quarter.

Hudson was pretty good in the Ruck.
Minson had a really bad day.

Some good signs between Johno and Berry Hall. They seems to understand each other quite well.
Boyd and Higgins were good. All the others were at most really average.

We shouldn't just pump the ball forward to Hall as this is to obvious. They were marking him with at least 2 defenders all the times.

For me, the game was a wake up call to all the players as the competitors are tough and a reminder for all of us that there is still a long way to go for our team.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Besides the problems above, I thought we missed Morris a lot today, gives that stability down back and wouldn't of resulted in that little skunk who never hassles us kicking 4,

[The Pie Man]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Does anyone know why Boyd was wearing a black armband today?

I've seen a few posts mention he was good today - 38 touches would suggest he was, but they were at 58% efficiency, and honestly I didn't think he was 'on' today (which makes me curious re: black armband)

Tom Williams' ball handling is of real concern.

Sliding door moment - Higgins handball to Gilbee in the 3rd, Lyndsay misses what would be a go ahead goal....momentum's a wonderful thing in footy when you can ride it.

Just didn't look up for it, which for round one and your captain's 350th is just weird really. Still, I bet Geelong didn't mind losing round 1 2007 to us considering how the year panned out.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

I thought we were comprehensively beaten out of the middle
We fumbled the ball in close a lot
We had players fall over rather than keep their feet
At times we used the ball badly into the forward line, missing targets or kicking up and under.
The Pies killed us for getting the ball off packs and scoring or setting up scoring opportunities.
In terms of keepings off, when the Pies got the ball in our forward line, you always thought they could go the length of the ground to score. It seemed we played off their players a lot.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Everything.

Our defensive pressure and accountability was extremely poor for most of the match. Collingwood were streaming out of defence and spotted up free players through the midfield and particularly up forward at will. For some reason, our players tried to 'zone' by playing 15m in front of their opponent. All Collingwood did was run, carry and kick it over our head. We were continually out of position and as a result, often out muscled.

It's a long year - but this is a dreadful performance from a club aspiring to win a Premiership. Losing is part of the game - but getting belted isn't a good sign. Hell - Geelong and St. Kilda didn't play all that well, but did enough to win. We were spanked.

Looked very slow and were clueless as to how to beat their zones. Really frustrating to see us bomb the ball forward almost every time we got our hands on the footy forward of the center.

Boyd racked up the possessions but was poor. He turned it over and rarely looked to pick out an option going forward. Fumbled a bit too.

Cross was shocking. Spent more time on the ground than he did running. Fumbled, played from behind, was easily brushed aside and bombed the ball.

I have concerns over Gilbee and Harbrow and whether or not they can regain touch. Both look very ordinary by foot and it's costing us.

Malthouse seems to have the 'tactical wood' over Eade. Our players have been unable to adjust but full credit to Collingwood - very well drilled. Out played us and proved they're a very, very good football side.

* Murphy the only positive for mine. Made smart decisions, moved well, took some strong marks and hit his targets as both a lead-up CHF and across the back flank.

Agree with plenty of that - Harbrow kicking out from FB doesn't fill me with confidence either.

Their forwards got a few cheapys hanging back from the midfield contest relying on their mids to win possession, which for 3 quarters of the game they did.

On to next week!

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Ward has a groin - may need to be managed for a while.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Everything.

Ouch. Doesn't paint a pretty picture at all. Looks like we resulted to that familiar style under serious pressure.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

God, what a disheartening performance. I know it's only Rd 1, and there's a whole lot of footy left, but that was awful. At times it looked like the Bulldogs of old (and I mean 2003-4). We're gonna struggle to win playing at about 50% in games. Some other thoughts:

*Boyd was great, we'd have lost by 12 goals if not for his work in the middle.
* Hall, I thought did well considering the help (or lack of) he had.
* Williams just dreadful. For such an important role, we're in strife if his form is going to yo-yo like that.
* Admittedly Morris is a big out for us, but the backline was at times clueless. Pies players just cruising through to loose balls, and marking inside 50 with no one within a mile of them. We can't have patches of defensive intensity, then leave the door open.
* Pies were so much better at maximising opportunities. I see this as a real weakness of ours.
* We had no idea what to do with their pressure. How many times, when confronted by a Pies player, were our guys caught out, and not even making a bad decision, just not making ANY...
* Johnno and Aker looked slow today. Aker had a few good touches, Johnno should never have played.

[angelopetraglia]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

The difference for me was the backline.

Their backline was sensational and ours was terrible. Lake was out of the hot spot due to some good coaching from Collingwood and their smalls destroyed us. Williams was all at sea when the ball hit the ground. We let in too many soft goals, reminded me of Dogs circa 2005-2007. Good on the attack but leaks like a sieve.

Their backline, led by Harry and Maxwell were just brilliant. Tenacious. Did not give an inch and provided run.