So where are we really at?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: So where are we really at?

Very damning assessment of Eades time at the club if you are indicating that the cupboard is bare of talent.

Quite the opposite. Eade's handling of our younger players has been exceptional.

We could have quite a lot of young talent at Willi if we wanted - Grant, Jones, Ward, Picken, Moles, Harbrow - except they're playing seniors.


Plus those currently injured like Wood, Reid and Cordy.

[mighty_west]

Re: So where are we really at?

Quite the opposite. Eade's handling of our younger players has been exceptional.

We could have quite a lot of young talent at Willi if we wanted - Grant, Jones, Ward, Picken, Moles, Harbrow - except they're playing seniors.


Plus those currently injured like Wood, Reid and Cordy.

I think alot of outsiders tend to either not see or overlook the fact that we have in fact blooded quite a few players, but also very exciting and talented kids, all of those you have mentioned, except Cordy off course, but most who have seen him play at Willy understand that he will be good when he gets the body right, Roughead is another to add on your list.

[Desipura]

Re: So where are we really at?

Its disappointing to hear about the misses at draft time.
I recall Eade stating we picked up Everitt as we thought he could eventually play kpp as opposed to Jack Reiwoldt who he thought was not a kpp. (He said the same thing about Lance Franklin being a half forward flanker). I believe we were too focussed on picking up kpps in the past, that we gave up the opportunity to pick up some very handy forwards. who are now kpps.

We were tossing up between Little & Rose. Try telling me Little would not have played seniors by now? He may have been the replacement for Johnson we have been looking for.

As alot of us know, the story goes we told Rose to build up his tank preseason so he could play midfield as well as forward. The guy was never overly quick, if you are as small as Rose, you have to have more than one string to your bow. I am not saying I would have gone Little over Rose, but I do know Rose does not have a standout feature to his game (as I stated above). The same goes for Hooper.

We picked up Markovic as a backup, Maguire was available, I wonder if we enquired about Brad Miller last year as an insurance for if one of our key backman got injured> We will never know.

Look, its not all doom and gloom, we have some very handy youngsters on our list (we all know who they are), we just need to balance our list with a quick onballer, another backman and 2 forwards, one a midium sized to replace Johnno and an opportunist forward.

[The Pie Man]

Re: So where are we really at?

Getting back to where we're at - I'm hoping Rocket is doing his best man-management work like he must have after the Hawthorn game earlier in the year.

Something like 'ok, Coon being out is a massive hit, but seriously guys, if we continue to not pressure and tackle the opposition then Coon being in won't make any difference to how we go. We've been here before, we should've beaten St Kilda last year playing the type of footy we're going to need to play again, and don't tell me Adam being out is going to prevent us from doing that.'

Or something like that

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we really at?

I love the negativity some of these so called bulldogs supporters... Don't bother going, hand back your membership (if you actually have one)...

It is going to be tough - but 3 weeks ago we were playing brilliant footy! Vs Carlton, Freo & North

[DOG GOD]

Re: So where are we really at?

3 weeks ago we were playing brilliant footy! Vs Carlton, Freo & North

Yep Carlton, Freo, North is a bit different from Geel, Syd and then Coll. the difference is not even on the same page. We play well against the run of the mill, but cant take that next step against the really good opposition. Can we turn it around? who knows. I still live in hope, but opur record against top 3-4 teams isnt good, so we need to sometimes take off those rose coloured glasses and accept the facts.

[mjp]

Re: So where are we really at?

I love the negativity some of these so called bulldogs supporters... Don't bother going, hand back your membership (if you actually have one)...

It is going to be tough - but 3 weeks ago we were playing brilliant footy! Vs Carlton, Freo & North

It isn't 3 weeks ago.
We have suffered injuries to key players.
We are not playing well.

Fair enough to have a go at people for being negative, but why not provide us (me?) with a bit of insight into the reasons for your optimism? I would love to be looking at things from the sunny side of the street, but from where I am it is pitch black and the only street light has been smashed by a gleeful Jason Akermanis.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we really at?

but from where I am it is pitch black and the only street light has been smashed by a gleeful Jason Akermanis.

What is this supposed to mean?

[mighty_west]

Re: So where are we really at?

I love the negativity some of these so called bulldogs supporters... Don't bother going, hand back your membership (if you actually have one)...

It is going to be tough - but 3 weeks ago we were playing brilliant footy! Vs Carlton, Freo & North

Whilst i am more of a "try to be positive" types of guys, no one can begrudge a true supporter of having negative thoughts, having the guts pulled out from poor form & especially injuries to key players, especially the Cooney one [season over], that was hideous, the expectations taking massive blows, still waiting for that second Premiership, still paying our hard earn every year and showing up week after week.

We will all still be there screaming our guts out in September no matter how hollow some feelings can get from time to time.

[Bornadog]

Re: So where are we really at?

It isn't 3 weeks ago.
We have suffered injuries to key players.
We are not playing well.

Fair enough to have a go at people for being negative, but why not provide us (me?) with a bit of insight into the reasons for your optimism? I would love to be looking at things from the sunny side of the street, but from where I am it is pitch black and the only street light has been smashed by a gleeful Jason Akermanis.

MJP, you more than anyone know that things can turn around quickly, despite injuries etc. I think we still have the nucleus of a very good team. Sure we are better with Cooney and Higgins at full fitness but the rest of the team playing at their best are capable of causing damage in the finals.

Allan Jeans use to tell his players there are three seasons each year:

1. The H&A Season - and four teams have a double chance and we are one.
2. The finals Season.
3. The grand final Season

Yes Collingwood, Geelong and Saints have performed better than us in season one, but now they have to produce something in season two.

All players have to now step up in the finals and go for it.

[mjp]

Re: So where are we really at?

What is this supposed to mean?

It is a metaphor.

I can't see things from the happy place I am being told to look at them from. Was it really that obtuse?

[GVGjr]

Re: So where are we really at?

Thanks for the reply. Matt Maguire must have asked for more money then?

Good question. He possibly wanted a bit more money than we had but he also might have been seen as a more risky prospect. I don't think he was even seriously considered.

[LostDoggy]

Re: So where are we really at?

Yeah its going to be tough... but we still have some great players playing and we have an opportunity for some pinch hitters to step up! I am just sick of hearing the bagging and carry on...

1 Player doesn't make a team!

Every Dog shall have its day

[Bornadog]

Re: So where are we really at?

Good question. He possibly wanted a bit more money than we had but he also might have been seen as a more risky prospect. I don't think he was even seriously considered.

Also he wouldn't have wanted to be just a backup, he would have seen himself as a regular team member.

[Hotdog60]

Re: So where are we really at?

I see that Brisbane are letting Selwood go, is he worth a look?