Views for Round 11

[The Underdog]

Re: Views for Round 11

Which players in particular give us concerns?

I don't think we handle their small forwards particularly well, although having Morris back in will help counter that a bit. As will Medhurst still being out, if that's the case.
I think we need someone like Hahn to do a better defensive job on O'Brien who killed us running out of the backline in Round 1, although I'm not sure at this stage he can. Our overall lack of pace in the forward line is a problem against them.

[Desipura]

Re: Views for Round 11

I think Collingwood's backline is our real worry or at least their ability to rebound. Maxwell and O'Brien are 2 players that have historically played well against us. We have not made them accountable enough.
They would look forward to playing on the likes of Hahn & Hill.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Views for Round 11

Why?

Last year we finished 3rd losing in a very close PF.

In the off-season we recruited a key forward which was one area that had let us down in the past. Our pre-season form was good (especially in the final) and our key forward was in great touch.

We had every right to have high expectations and so far these expectations aren't being met.

Why? Becuase we haven't done anything this year and last year means nothing. Last year Fremantle barely could win a game, look at them now. Our expectations for 2010 have grown enourmosly our skill level has dropped significantly.

[Ozza]

Re: Views for Round 11

Why? Becuase we haven't done anything this year and last year means nothing. Last year Fremantle barely could win a game, look at them now. Our expectations for 2010 have grown enourmosly our skill level has dropped significantly.

Expectations can only be guided by past form and projected improvement - thats why they are called expectations.

I'm not trying to be a smart arse, but expecting to be a side in the top 2 or 3 was an extremely realistic expectation for us, and is still very much a possibility. Its just going to be a bit harder. Luckily for us, Collingwood and St.Kilda have also dropped some games in recent weeks so we are still in touch.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Views for Round 11

Depends which Bulldogs come to play I suppose..

[LostDoggy]

Re: Views for Round 11

I think Collingwood's backline is our real worry or at least their ability to rebound. Maxwell and O'Brien are 2 players that have historically played well against us. We have not made them accountable enough.
They would look forward to playing on the likes of Hahn & Hill.

Yep, yet they get killed on the one-on-one because both like to zone off. If we hit up their direct opponents on the lead, we will get some chances. If we mess up delivery in the forward 50 and the ball hits the deck, bye-bye birdy.

Heath Shaw looks great running out of the backline, but his delivery is suspect at best. Let him have it, but corral him towards the boundary, zone off to shut down his obvious targets and he'll turn it over or kick it out on the full. We HAVE to have a defensive forward this week -- ie. Picken or DFA to patrol the forward 50m arc and sweep/corral the rebound.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Views for Round 11

My expectations are still high, my confidence for the team is down at the moment. Forget 8 point game. This is a 12 point game.

[Mantis]

Re: Views for Round 11

My expectations are still high, my confidence for the team is down at the moment. Forget 8 point game. This is a 12 point game.

I thought we had to lower our expectations?

[Desipura]

Re: Views for Round 11

Yep, yet they get killed on the one-on-one because both like to zone off. If we hit up their direct opponents on the lead, we will get some chances. If we mess up delivery in the forward 50 and the ball hits the deck, bye-bye birdy.

Heath Shaw looks great running out of the backline, but his delivery is suspect at best. Let him have it, but corral him towards the boundary, zone off to shut down his obvious targets and he'll turn it over or kick it out on the full. We HAVE to have a defensive forward this week -- ie. Picken or DFA to patrol the forward 50m arc and sweep/corral the rebound.

No, just no.
Ok, I shall elaborate, we need someone who has the ability to draw his oppoenent away from the 50 arc. This player will need to be able to find the footy through his footy smarts and or pace. The ability to take a mark overhead will be beneficial as well. A defensive forward cannot just be there to apply pressure. Picken maybe, but DFA, no!

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Views for Round 11

I feel confident that we can beat Collingwood. I thought the same last week though.


This is going to be a big game, so I expect our intensity to be better than it was last week, and when we play with the required intensity, I'm confident we can win against any side in the competition.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Views for Round 11

I thought we had to lower our expectations?

I re-phrased. I want to have high expectations but my confidence in us achieving those expectations is low

[choconmientay]

Re: Views for Round 11

I think I will be really weary going to the game this coming Sunday.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Views for Round 11

We obviously need a lift right across the ground as our midfielders/forwards have been pretty ordinary. Need to get back to playing team football, tackling, chasing and creating space for others. We really haven't done this well at all this season. The NAB Cup we were having 70+ tackles if I recall correctly, but that pressure and defensive effort has been drastically missing.

Hill and Hahn have trouble containing Collingwood's half back run. Maxwell covers Hahn and often plays third man up whilst O'Brien humiliates Hill every time. Hill hasn't been as bad as some suggest this year - he's playing as a forward and despite missing games is the only player outside of Hall consistently kicking goals. He's important to us (especially at the moment) but he needs to have a good game against Collingwood, otherwise playing him against the top 2-3 sides will be difficult in the future. Against O'Brien, he has to continually be moving around as Harry likes to play off his opponents. Hill seems to get caught standing flat flooted and as a result O'Brien is able to easily spoil the ball and immediately run forward of the contest.

It's hard to single out one particular area/player though because we need a better performance for the entire 22 that take the field.