Game Day - R3 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

[stefoid]

Re: Game Day - R3 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Gia had one possession yesterday right in the middle of the ground that highlighted exactly how good he is. We were on the burst and a good kick to him would have led to an easy shot on goal. The kick was poor and Gia was forced to scoop up a half volley with one hand while running at pace. It was an act so very, very difficult to do, and he made it look effortless. He fed the ball on and we got our goal from it. It was a piece of play that was so subtle in its brilliance it's easy to overlook, but aside from Gia I reckon only Murphy (maybe Higgins) would have the nous to pull it off.

I have been critical of Gia in the past, but when fit he must be one of our first selected.

Im a big fan of the 'scoring involvement' stat that pro-stats publishes, but this year they want you to pay for those interesting extra stats - you just get the usual bland ones for free now.

But I would be very interested to see that stat for our guys this year, because as we all know, every disposal is not the same. Last year I had a look at the overall figures for scoring involvement and found that two players - gia and cross - who are often criticized for various things were quite high up on the list for the SI stat - meaning that when they used the ball, they used it in a way that contributed to the team having a shot on goal.

Gia uses the ball well, and in an era of ultra flooding and zone defences, that is gold.

Also expecting hahn to gradually come back to speed as he increases confidence that his face isnt going to cave in the next time he puts it over the ball and someone smacks into him.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - R3 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Im a big fan of the 'scoring involvement' stat that pro-stats publishes, but this year they want you to pay for those interesting extra stats - you just get the usual bland ones for free now.

But I would be very interested to see that stat for our guys this year, because as we all know, every disposal is not the same. Last year I had a look at the overall figures for scoring involvement and found that two players - gia and cross - who are often criticized for various things were quite high up on the list for the SI stat - meaning that when they used the ball, they used it in a way that contributed to the team having a shot on goal.

Gia uses the ball well, and in an era of ultra flooding and zone defences, that is gold.

Also expecting hahn to gradually come back to speed as he increases confidence that his face isnt going to cave in the next time he puts it over the ball and someone smacks into him.

Exactly. It's what we have to be good at if we are to overcome defensive football tactics that sides like St Kilda are so good at. Flooding, rolling zones and clusters all make it paramount we have the ability to hit targets from long range as well as short range. Fail and we make it easier for rebound footy to hurt us. If the Hawthorn game told us anything, it is that we have to be able to get free from stoppages or run the ball off the back line, and be able to hit up leading targets ALL game (and not just when the Opposition is tiring). It's why Eade would be ropeable, when we cough the ball up so easily and miss targets that we just shouldn't. Missing goals, giving away 50s, not following instructions.....just hands the ball to the Opposition. The pressure is therefore on players like Murphy, Gilbee, Gia to make the intelligent decisions and perform precision kicking or we just make so much work for ourselves trying to maintain or regain control of the ball.

[macca]

Re: Game Day - R3 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

WE got smashed in the first 2 quarters in the clearances, and the hawks midfield were getting in first . I'm a bit concerned about these sluggish starts, and we can't afford it against the top teams.

Hall played, well did not get the delivery in the first 3 quarters, but was patient. There were a couple of holding the man moments, which umps missed, and the hawks doubled team him well. Halls ability to read the play and lead into space is fantastic and I hope this rubs off on our young fwd. 3 times in the last quarter he ran into space up dead infront of goal 40 m out.

Griffen was good, and worked hard all day.

Hudson was put on osborne or ladson at some stage down back, looked very strange.

Williams was solid, and did the right things.

Rioli is a seriously talented player, he turned picken inside out some many timnes, his turning circle is very small, and he finishing skills are superb.