Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

I know you can't tell much from 2 minutes of highlights, but Collingwood seemed to kick a number of 'soft' goals. I guess once I have seen the game I can look for the lead up work, but it seemd Didak and Davis were un-apposed on quite a few occassions.

Never good to lose the first one, but there is still plenty of time to re-find our mojo.

I think the most annoying thing about today is that we were five goals down at quarter time. We simply can't allow those kind of lapses if we're to improve on the previous two seasons. Rarely do Geelong/Saints conceed 4-6 goal leads. We do far too often.

Why?

I'm irritated this issue still hasn't been addressed. I don't expect to be 'up' for 22-26 weeks of the season, but putting that kind of performance out on Round 1 is a worry. It coincides with the group's need to be given a spray to get them working harder, too. It happened v Brisbane in the NAB Cup, against Port Adelaide and then again today.

It'd be interesting to know what the mentality of the group was like before and during the game.

More importantly - how do you fix it? Major problem for what is lauded as a mature group IMO.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

That was either touched off the boot and therefore never a mark (and then a point when he strayed over the goal line) or when the ball was 'caught' it was deemed to have not travelled the required distance, and then the player has backed over the line and out of play, conceding a rushed behind.

I too was (and remain) confused by the incident

If that is the one in the last the central umpire called it touched off the boot.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Gilbee, Minson and Addison should be omitted next week.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

It'd be interesting to know what the mentality of the group was like before and during the game.

More importantly - how do you fix it? Major problem for what is lauded as a mature group IMO.

Before the QF last year the playing group was full of confidence coming off 3 good wins and turned in a stinker. The coaching staff gave it to the players after that game and we came out in the next 2 weeks and put in strong & committed performances.

Perhaps after a strong NAB Cup campaign the playing group were feeling pretty good about themselves and played accordingly?

* As I haven't seen the game I am just speculating, but watching the highlights I saw that when Hall kicked his first in the 1st qtr we were just points down (20 to 25) so we must have been ok for atleast some of the 1st qtr.

[Doc26]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Ward just over the groin injury and then had a flu bug I thought, so I'd say he was rested.

Cal is missing due to strained stomach muscles and not OP on this occasion.

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.

Unfortunately have to agree with you with the Cross summation. Crossy's as determined as they come and gets loads of the ball, due largely to his endurance and tenacity, but isn't hurting the opposition as a midfielder must. Falls to ground too easily and is a bad habit that seems to have got worse. Hopefully some extra game time might help him as to be fair to him he is coming off two ankle recos over the pre season and is amazing that he's even out there.

Turnovers were the order of the day. Can recall hearing that 12 of Collingwood's 15 goals (whenever that was) originated from Bulldog turnovers. Our decisions under pressure were wanting with the usual suspects at the forefront. Accountability was also lacking. Heath Shaw and Harry O'Brien must wonder what all the fuss is about our boys.

Fortunately there's at least 21 weeks to redeem ourselves.

Thought Murphy, Cooney and Boyd were great. Aker was also solid and clean as always.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Perhaps after a strong NAB Cup campaign the playing group were feeling pretty good about themselves and played accordingly?

It looked like it - yourself & dfa4pm have mentioned it's a long season and not to get too down about this, and I 100% agree, but this perceived (from my perspective) need for a spray remains a concern for me

* As I haven't seen the game I am just speculating, but watching the highlights I saw that when Hall kicked his first in the 1st qtr we were just points down (20 to 25) so we must have been ok for atleast some of the 1st qtr.

Collingwood kicked the next 5 goals of the game, we went completely missing for about 15 minutes

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Who did Picken play on?

He only had 9 touches and as yet hasn't come under any scrutiny for his performance.

[Doc26]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Who did Picken play on?

He only had 9 touches and as yet hasn't come under any scrutiny for his performance.

Played on Lockyer for most of the match and did a fair job of it. Certainly wasn't one of our worst performers. Also scored a handy goal.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

It has been mentioned many times already, but Morris not playing was a big loss.
I read that it was up to Johnno whether he played or not. If that was the case, he made a very selfish decision and should never have played.
As for Josh Hill, well he may as well have not played.
Finally, I heard a stat on the radio that summed up our day. 12 of Collingwoods 1st 15 goals were from our turnovers.

[SonofScray]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Before the QF last year the playing group was full of confidence coming off 3 good wins and turned in a stinker. The coaching staff gave it to the players after that game and we came out in the next 2 weeks and put in strong & committed performances.

Perhaps after a strong NAB Cup campaign the playing group were feeling pretty good about themselves and played accordingly?

* As I haven't seen the game I am just speculating, but watching the highlights I saw that when Hall kicked his first in the 1st qtr we were just points down (20 to 25) so we must have been ok for atleast some of the 1st qtr.

Thats the vibe I am getting, mixed with a few passengers due to match fitness/injury (looking at Johnno and Will mostly) Not going to hang them out to dry but they were off the boil.

[giaco]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Murphy and Everitt. All our other players were down on their usually high standards in one way or another.

I was agreeing with you until here. Everitt? What about Boyd? Kept us in it for the first half. Was out on his feet in the second but still kept going, made a few errors, through sheer exhaustion I think.

For me Boyd and Murphy - great.

Cooney, Cross, Hall, Hudson - ok.

The rest pretty ordinary but I'll give Johnno some slack.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Murphy was brilliant and kept us in the game, Boyd worked hard, Cooney, Cross and Griffin chipped in - but there were some big names that put in a shocker - starting with Minson, was he playing for the opposition today? Lake - very quiet for such a well paid player. Gilbee - seems to have lost his foot skills over the past 12 months. That bad miss was definitely the end of any momentum we had to take the lead. Addison - would have been better with Tim Callan - is he on the injury list? Johno did not play to his standards and should not have played.

Some positives - we were missing Morris (AA Defender) Ward, Rising Star Nominee, Brodie Moles who really showed something during the NAB and could be a handy pick up, and (drum roll) the Eagle who showed why the players still rated him and wanted him to play on for another year. It is a reality check that we had to have.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

I agree with much of what has been written here already, but it seemed to me that we lacked the application the Pies had in terms of getting players around contested situations. It just seemed to me that the Pies always had 1 or 2 out the back and a couple out the side and the front of the packs. It was as if they had more blokes on the field. We on the other hand, struggled to clear out of traffic because we didn't have teammates sitting behind and outside contests ready to receive and clear.
I think the only guys that can hold their heads up for a good performance today were Murphy and Everitt. All our other players were down on their usually high standards in one way or another.
I think we lacked another inside midfielder today, (Ward to come straight back in when fit), and an outside receiver which means Eagle should come straight in as well. I think we missed Eagle as too often we were lacking a player who was able to sit outside in space , link up in chains of play and cover some metres with penetrating kicks.
It is only round 1 and may be a glitch, but geez its frustrating that we are a serious premiership contender and yet still susceptible to these types of losses.... I mean Collingwood were the better team today and hungrier, but we are not a 6 goals worse side than them.

In fairness Collingwood were clearly a six goals better team today. If you have more better players in your team on the day then you invariably win the game. Collingwood had far more better players than us on the day.
Great to see Robert Murphy perform so well now that he is fully fit. Still trying to work out why we persist with Everitt on the backline. Hargrave on Medhurst was a poor match up. Gia as a supposed future captain was most disappointing.
Centre half back still remains a major problem with Tom Williams lacking the class required to hold this position down. Dylan Addison is clearly not good enough. Easton Wood would have been better. The team lacked the steadiness and poise of Morris in defence, whilst Callan Ward with his attack on the ball saw us struggle in the midfield.
The big worry for the Bulldogs is the lack of depth when you lose good players like Morris and Ward.

[Doc26]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

Hey Da Druid, noticed Josh Fraser have a crack at you. What was going on there ? Did you send him some words of encouragement ?

[The Underdog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood

I can't believe I called Shaggy, Hargraves

Why not? If Tony Leonard can do it all day. He's a professional football commentator and a Dogs supporter.