Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

[mjp]

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.

I don't disagree, but what was the final score in that game? Or the Sydney game when Kirk tagged him (as mentioned by GS)...interesting that one though as I seem to recall Hodge started back on Goodes that day. The Hawthorn best player list had Lewis, Franklin, Burgoyne and Rioli in on each of those occasions, Rioli, Lewis, Mitchell and Franklin also featured against Adelaide (r12) and Lewis was again in there in R14.

They are winning when Hodge is good and when he isn't...this game is going to be decided based on our ability to:
- Control the Hawthorn forwards.
- Hit targets inside 50 against their zoning defense.

Who we tag or otherwise is not going to be the difference maker - I have no doubt at least one and probably two out of Hodge, Mitchell, Lewis, Sewell and Burgoyne will have big games. We need to make sure that the likes of Ellis/Young/Osborne etc are not able to have effective games and impact the scoreboard in order to win.

This is actually one game where I think it the ability of our mid tier players of Gia, Gilbee, Shaggy, Hahn, Eagle to win their match-ups that will determine the result - there is a lot of quality in both mid-fields and I think each side will get their share of possession...

[Ozza]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

[QUOTE=Mantis;161507]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.[/QUOTE]

Williams on Gumby - is that sarcastic? Just had to check because every contest they actually had - Williams got beaten.

I agree roughy is still dangerous - lake to Buddy, Morris to Roughead - has worked brilliantly the last 2 times - no sense in changing it.

Hodge was hampered by an injury (ankle from memory) during the Essendon game - and wasn't really on the ball at all. Thats why he only had 12. If you saw the footage of him - he could barely get off the mark.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Here's what i'm hoping/think will happen with some of the key match-ups.

Morris to Franklin - Franklin has finally started to get on his bike. Which is a worry for the rest of the competition. Morris has the pace and endurance to match him in this area. Franklin's weak point in his game is his contested marking, which is Lakes strong point. The Hawks will not allow this match-up to happen deep in the forward 50. Franklin will be starting on the wing, running into the forward 50. I dont think we can allow lake to zone off on him and allow cheap kick around the wing. This will only get his confidence up and we have seen how devastating his runs are.

Lake to Roughy - Lake should towell up Roughead. He's only real asset is his strength, which lake has him covered in. Lake should be able to really hurt the hawks on the rebound also if this match-up takes place.

Muston to Gilbee - Muston did a great defensive job on Fletcher last round. He continuely lead into dead pockets and kept Fletcher right away from the play. The Hawks were smart and used him going forward on occasions, so Fletcher had to stick with him. I expect Clako to use Muston on Gilbee.

Harbrow to Osborne/whoever is down there - Due to Muston playing close attention to Gilbee, i dont want to see Harbrow being used on Rioli, we need Harbrows run and carry out of defence. If Gilbee is getting taken out of the game we need Harbrow to have 30+ touches. Harbrow is a fantastic player but just does not have the football brain to combat Roili type players.

Murphy to Rioli - Although Murph could no doubt provide a much needed defensive play-maker if Gilbee is copping attention, i really would like to set him the task of taking Rioli. Rioli is possibly the smartest player in the game. Murphy is not too far behind IMO, he also has the pace and agility to go with Rioli. This will also make Rioli very accountable coming the other way seeing as Murphy's skills and sublime coming out of defence.

I guess that leaves Picken to take Hodge, But if Rioli is playing more on the ball then Picken should go to him.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

It's an interesting one, I think probably them. They are more an in an under type of team, and although that's an area we've improved greatly in recent seasons, we still play our best football when we take the game on with run and carry and quick ball movement which is hampered by the wet more. Also Franklin isn't so much an overhead marking forward so I don't think he'll be as affected as your traditional key forward (such as Hall) might be.

We are not great in the wet. Only ssome Gryffin magic saved us from Smell-bourne in our last wet game.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

The Osbourne match up is one we have to get right he is important to their structure and was really dangerous last week.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Williams on Gumby - is that sarcastic? Just had to check because every contest they actually had - Williams got beaten.

Gumby kicked 3 goals but only had 4 touches.

[Mantis]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Williams on Gumby - is that sarcastic? Just had to check because every contest they actually had - Williams got beaten.

Yes I was.

Close to goal Tom is still a worry against a player who can leap and mark and I doubt he would be able to handle Roughy regardless of the form (or lack there of) he is in.

[Mofra]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Jaytee, where would you put Wood?

Despite his inexperience, he will get an Osborne type for mine which means he has to back himself to run. I'd expect one of Harbrow or Gilbee to play further up the ground to give us some run through the middle which should give us an edge there; I think our midfields are fairly even otherwise.

[Mantis]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Jaytee, where would you put Wood?

Despite his inexperience, he will get an Osborne type for mine which means he has to back himself to run. I'd expect one of Harbrow or Gilbee to play further up the ground to give us some run through the middle which should give us an edge there; I think our midfields are fairly even otherwise.

Where do you see Hargrave in all this?

[comrade]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Some great analysis so far; there are plenty of critical match ups that will determine the result which have been articulated well in this thread.

I think this will be a similar contest to our round 2 game. There will be times during the game where we just have to absorb the pressure from Hawthorn and make sure guys like Buddy, Roughy and Cyril don't break it open in a 15 minute period.

I think Murphy off half back will be our trump card; Clarkson will put a lot of effort to curtail Gilbee and Harbrow, so hopefully that allows Murph to direct traffic from half back and pick apart the zone. His smarts will be critical in setting up our forward thrusts and I'd be giving him the ball when ever possible.

If we can put enough pressure on their back line, it will crack, as we saw in the last quarter earlier in the year. Grant is another critical player; they don't have any defensive player quick or agile enough to go with him for 4 quarters. If Barry is getting swarmed, we should look to play him higher and give Grant the forward 50 - let him burn off his opponent.

Murph to have 25 touches and Grant to kick 4.

[Greystache]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

Murph to have 25 touches and Grant to kick 4.

And perhaps finally get a rising star nomination.

[comrade]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

And perhaps finally get a rising star nomination.

Yes, it shouldn't be far away. Hawthorn's back line should be ripe for the taking.

[Greystache]

Re: Match Preview: Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn

No one's been seen in the vacinity of Hodge in the first half, Hodge has 16 and most of their clearances. Baffling match up to say the least.