What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

[Chicago1]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

If we would have played Geelong two weeks ago and played like we did last night, I doubt I would have booked a flight to Melbourne in time for the PFs. I haven't given up hope, but the next two weeks will really show what our players are made of. I never really gave a second thought of us not making a PF, but now I have my doubts.

For the first time this year, I didn't tip the Doggies to win. The odds just seemed to be against us, but I never would have dreamt the slaughter that occurred. That second quarter seemed to go on and on forever. What I was watching reminded me of the dark days of the early 80s when I just expected us to lose. That's the first time I've felt like that for a long, long time.

As I said earlier, I haven't given up hope, but to be honest, I feel very let down as a supporter. These days I do not expect us to lose, but if we do, at least I expect that the team has given its all. I did not feel that way regarding most of the players yesterday. I feel for the supporters who would have endured the humiliation of being at Docklands last night.

I just hope that the players respond and serve us up a tasty meal of roast Swan next weekend.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

No team has won the premiership losing by 100 points in H&A.
Lets stop making pathetic excuses on why we got beat. Its simple we are not in the same league as the top 3 teams.

You still hang on for that little bit of hope it can happen but i hate to say it but for me last night was like we just lost another prelimanary final, season over!!!

Who is making pathetic excuses here Dale_dogs? I can't see anyone here trying to make excuses.

I see people posting their opinions as to what happened, and as per this thread title trying to set up debate as to what last night means to our finals campaign.

You're entitled to your opinion as much as the next person, but I don't think it's fair you should label the discussion as people making pathetic excuses.

Geelong did get whomped by 86 points early on in their premiership season in 07. It's not a 100 points, but 14 point shy of it is really only semantics.

[SonofScray]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

Given the up and down nature of the squad this year and that we know our best is as good as anyone else's best we've just got to hang tough. I just hope timing is on our side and we swing back up when it count's.

There no rules about who win's, or makes grand finals. You don't have to be the best team, nor the best team on the day. All that matters in the end is the scoreboard. So to use the old cliche, "where there is life, there is hope."

I'd be hoping we add to that by improving our forward pressure and tackling over 4 qtrs to give ourselves every chance. This morning I am as confident about the flag wagging as I was yesterday morning. We're in with a chance.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

Our track record at the trade table wouldn't suggest so. I haven't been impressed by our list management over the last two seasons believing we didn't make the hard call on a couple of guys especially at the end of last season.

Bridging that gap between a very good side and a genuine contender might require some hard calls.

Agree with this. Johnson earned another contract but he's finished. Ditto Eagleton - who should've been retired last year.

I'll be shot down for this - but we can't head into 2011 with Boyd AND Cross. They both are unaccountable turn over machines. If we've got balls, one of them will be shopped around at the end of the year.

[LostDoggy]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

Who is making pathetic excuses here Dale_dogs? I can't see anyone here trying to make excuses.

I see people posting their opinions as to what happened, and as per this thread title trying to set up debate as to what last night means to our finals campaign.

You're entitled to your opinion as much as the next person, but I don't think it's fair you should label the discussion as people making pathetic excuses.

Geelong did get whomped by 86 points early on in their premiership season in 07. It's not a 100 points, but 14 point shy of it is really only semantics.

Sorry! to everybody probably a bit harsh i suppose we are all trying to find some sought of reason for that PATHETIC performance, but i am sick of hearing FLU,VIRUS. ETC.
I am simply stating my opinion i dont think we can make it.

But that last statement about Geelong, thats PATHETIC.

[Bornadog]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

But that last statement about Geelong, thats PATHETIC.

I believe that is in response to your statement, here:

No team has won the premiership losing by 100 points in H&A.
!

[Ghost Dog]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

You still hang on for that little bit of hope it can happen but i hate to say it but for me last night was like we just lost another prelimanary final, season over!!!

Far from it. Anything can happen come finals. But it definitely proved how much extra effort we will need to compete with these teams and 2 from 10 in the top 4 is telling. Still, finals, One game is one game. I live in hope, but expect reality to bite. We are fourth placed for a reason.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

I'd be hoping we add to that by improving our forward pressure and tackling over 4 qtrs to give ourselves every chance. This morning I am as confident about the flag wagging as I was yesterday morning. We're in with a chance.

Good on ya son of scray. Come on Bulldogs - no more thumpings please.

[LostDoggy]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

Far from it. Anything can happen come finals. But it definitely proved how much extra effort we will need to compete with these teams and 2 from 10 in the top 4 is telling. Still, finals, One game is one game. I live in hope, but expect reality to bite. We are fourth placed for a reason.

Ghost do you honestly believe the Saints are better than us?

[LostDoggy]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

If we come up against Geelong in the Finals, there is no way that we will win after last night. We were comprehensively and utterly smashed and as a group, i dont see how any statement game when we next play them will help, when we experienced what we did last night. In pressure cooker finals, you need to 100% believe that you can win and after last night - there will be some doubt in a lot of the guy's minds that they can match it with the cats.

These are just my thoughts - i do not think that we (or any team, for that matter) can recover within 3 weeks of getting beaten by 101 points - to mount any serious premiership campaign. It just doesnt happen.

[LostDoggy]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

I thought last night showed how important Hudson is to us. Both Roughhead and Minson rucked without keeping the ball at their feet so it couldn't get out from the contest easily. Whilst Roughy palms the ball well, our players allowed Geelong to shark it or we fumbled it and lost possession. I am not sure that hitting the ball out into the open works when it more easily allows players to get free (especially when there is a run on).

Geelong's runners were on the move at centre bounces easily able to find space, whereas we were mostly reactive or standing still. We were continually chasing tail once the ball got into the first Cat's hands. A sign we were not fresh and sharp after last week's game. Geelong's runners are like Collingwood's and unless we man up and play pack football to keep the ball locked in, we are going to be done by the likes of Ablett every time.

The flu or the lethargy shown by Higgins and Minson who both had trouble getting clean possession, of manning up, of winning contested ball....meant that Geelong were so often able to free up a player.

We will do much better next time when we have Hudson and Cooney back, and are fitter and more mentally better able to carry out a team plan that stops opposition players getting their hands on the ball first and spreading it so easily.

[Mantis]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

I'll be shot down for this - but we can't head into 2011 with Boyd AND Cross. They both are unaccountable turn over machines. If we've got balls, one of them will be shopped around at the end of the year.

I put up a post some 2 or 3 years ago asking what the roles of Boyd & Cross are.... Well I still don't know.

Last night they both the ball 30 odd times, the same as their opponents, but we got beat by 100 points and they didn't go to their opponents once... It isn't good enough.

I agree with your trade call as I believe if they can't start playing accountable footy they should be shopped around such that we can start developing mids who might be able to play 2-way footy.

[LostDoggy]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

I put up a post some 2 or 3 years ago asking what the roles of Boyd & Cross are.... Well I still don't know.

Last night they both the ball 30 odd times, the same as their opponents, but we got beat by 100 points and they didn't go to their opponents once... It isn't good enough.

I agree with your trade call as I believe if they can't start playing accountable footy they should be shopped around such that we can start developing mids who might be able to play 2-way footy.

We cant and wont trade either, they are much better when the great one is running beside them. Just watchn the Saints game and Reiwoldt is in a bit of trouble they are working on his Hammy.

[Mantis]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

We cant and wont trade either, they are much better when the great one is running beside them. Just watchn the Saints game and Reiwoldt is in a bit of trouble they are working on his Hammy.

They refuse to pick up a player as does Cooney & Griffen.

Cooney & Griffen are great attacking weapons.... However

Cross is a scaredy cat with the ball in hand, teams just sit off him and he stands still... It's embarrassing.

Boyd is a very good clearance player, but isn't a great kick, fumbles under pressure and refuses to pick up his man when the opposition has the ball.

This current midfield can't keep playing this run and gun style as we get torn to shreds by the gun mids of the leagues best teams.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: What does last night do to our finals aspirations?

We cant and wont trade either, they are much better when the great one is running beside them. Just watchn the Saints game and Reiwoldt is in a bit of trouble they are working on his Hammy.

I think we have to consider it, if they are unable to perform roles that are asked of them. They both have some glaring deficiencies in their game, as well as some admirable traits.
I think if the right offer came for one of them, then we should look at it.
Would Gold Coast be interested in obtaining one of them, either of them would both help give them some grunt in the midfield, and their off field training abilities would set a great example to what would be a very young squad.

And on Riewoldt, he's just kicked his 5th and looks fine.