Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

[mjp]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

I'm not going to make a bet with someone I don't know, no offence. If Hodge starts in the midfield and Picken doesn't pick him up I'll happily acknowledge it.

None taken. It was going to be a non-monetary, friendly wager in any case.

For what it is worth, Hodge is 14th in the competition for clearances and 20th in the comp for 1st possession. This is remarkable given the amount of time he spends down back and really defines him as an inside, ball winning mid.

Both Cooney and Boyd head him in each of these categories...he is second to Mitchell out of all Hawks (based on averages not totals so Sewell's missed games are not an issue in these numbers).

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Great Preview Greystache

I think this is the pivotal game of our 2010 campaign, both in terms of win-loss as well as self belief.

I believe that a loss here, will ultimately make a charge towards a top 4 spot- and therefore a genuine shot at the premiership- almost impossible.

We can probably only afford to lose 2 of our remaining 9 games to have a realistic shot at 4th spot. any more losses than 7 losses and we would have to rely on one of Collingwood or Freo having a very poor finish to the season.

I know the Hawks are yet to really defeat anyone of note, but either are we and in terms of each team's current momentum, I'd have the Hawks sitting slightly ahead of us right now.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

We'll also see Skipper v Minson, big Will should be more than capable but Skip might be out to prove something. Should be interesting to see how it goes.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Thank you for another great review.

+1.

With a bye this week and having supped with the Devil (I went to an NRL game on the weekend) your review has got me back on track.

IMO this is a crunch game for both sides - if we can't beat them, then we might as well forget about this year.

I will have to put my intense admiration for Hodge aside for a week - great player.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Gia has been getting these roles.

How do you assess his performance in that role?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

How do you assess his performance in that role?

The last two weeks he has managed 45 touches (20 contested), 5 goals, 13 scoring assists and 0 clangers.

While doing this he has kept Travis Johnson to 13 touches and Shannon Hurn to 4 (Hurn was injured just after half time).



Offensively he did nothing against Collingwood but did keep Heath Shaw to 16 touches.



I reckon he's travelling alright at the minute.

[Sedat]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

The only other gut runner Hawthorn have who *might* burn us is Bateman though he has been doing some tagging of his own lately.

Picken did a terrific job on Bateman in Round 3 and shut him out of the game completely. Been out of the country most of June and missed all AFL matches since Round 10, so not sure how Bateman is tracking for the Hawks in their recent run of good form - if he's been used in run-with roles, agree that the only natural option for Picken is then to go to Rioli.

[mjp]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

How do you assess his performance in that role?

Good. Gia has his ups and downs and he is one player I will always expect 'more' from - but to be truthful he is having a pretty good year.

He won a mountain of possession earlier in the season as a mid...he has now gone forward and played a role up there. I will always be frustrated that a player of his ability is used in this way, but he is proving to be disciplined at doing it and kick a few goals at the same time.

[Dry Rot]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Good. Gia has his ups and downs and he is one player I will always expect 'more' from - but to be truthful he is having a pretty good year.

He won a mountain of possession earlier in the season as a mid...he has now gone forward and played a role up there. I will always be frustrated that a player of his ability is used in this way, but he is proving to be disciplined at doing it and kick a few goals at the same time.

Thanks.

Understand the frustrated comment, but do we have a better player to fulfil that role?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Great Preview Greystache

I think this is the pivotal game of our 2010 campaign, both in terms of win-loss as well as self belief.

I believe that a loss here, will ultimately make a charge towards a top 4 spot- and therefore a genuine shot at the premiership- almost impossible.
We can probably only afford to lose 2 of our remaining 9 games to have a realistic shot at 4th spot. any more losses than 7 losses and we would have to rely on one of Collingwood or Freo having a very poor finish to the season.

I know the Hawks are yet to really defeat anyone of note, but either are we and in terms of each team's current momentum, I'd have the Hawks sitting slightly ahead of us right now.

Totally agree, this is what I have been thinking in the lead up to Friday night's game. It is just so important for the boys to make a statement, get their headspace right, and have a good win against a team whose confidence is up and who believe they are a chance for a great finish to the season. BTW - thanks for the great previous Greystache - I am constantly amazed at the knowledge and skills shown in these previews! Great work!

[stefoid]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Roughead is rubbish at the moment, Id play hargrave on him so he can zone off, or williams if the match comittee decides to go that way.

Id play Morris on Rioli when forward, and picken on him when in the middle. Cant afford to let him get off the leash.

Hodge - dont favour hard-tagging guys who traditionally can shake off tags. Its a waste. If bateman/rioli or some other creative outside mid has been shown to be taggable in the past, then use picken on that player.

So Id let Boyd go head to head with Hodge and let them each have 30+ possession games. Sure , Hodge is going to use it better, but thats preferable to: hodge is tagged, has a 30+ game anyway, and his direct opponent gets 12 possessions.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

There is another bloke in the middle for them who will require careful consideration - Burgoyne.

He is starting to run into form and is very clever at clearances close to goal. I reckon Picken needs to be on him.

I am comfortable with either Gilbee or Hargrave on Rioli at half forward - where he spends most of his time.

[Mantis]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Roughead is rubbish at the moment, Id play hargrave on him so he can zone off, or williams if the match comittee decides to go that way.

Williams did such a super job on Gumbleton a few weeks back which has me full of confidence in matching up on Roughy. Hargrave will give away 5 free kicks if he has to play on Roughead close to goal.

Regardless of form Roughead is a dangerous player and will demand respect.

Hodge - dont favour hard-tagging guys who traditionally can shake off tags. Its a waste. If bateman/rioli or some other creative outside mid has been shown to be taggable in the past, then use picken on that player.

So Id let Boyd go head to head with Hodge and let them each have 30+ possession games. Sure , Hodge is going to use it better, but thats preferable to: hodge is tagged, has a 30+ game anyway, and his direct opponent gets 12 possessions.

Yeah he did a great job shaking off Andrew Welsh last week... What was it?? 12 touches for the game, no influence on the contest... Good call.

[stefoid]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Williams did such a super job on Gumbleton a few weeks back which has me full of confidence in matching up on Roughy. Hargrave will give away 5 free kicks if he has to play on Roughead close to goal.

Regardless of form Roughead is a dangerous player and will demand respect.



Yeah he did a great job shaking off Andrew Welsh last week... What was it?? 12 touches for the game, no influence on the contest... Good call.

Its very rare that hodge is held to a 12 posession game - I wouldnt use that as the basis for our plan for him.

[Greystache]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Yeah he did a great job shaking off Andrew Welsh last week... What was it?? 12 touches for the game, no influence on the contest... Good call.

Or 4 weeks ago when Brett Kirk tagged him and he finished with 14 disposals. Why any team goes head to head with him rather than using a player to shut him out of the game just baffles me.