Beware the Western Bulldogs

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

The effort in the Preliminary final was a truly courageous one, considering the physical condition of many key members of the team. We have the will, we definitely have the fight. Collingwood and St Kilda's defensive plans prevailed. If the young talent develops and Rocket and the coaching staff get the game plan tweeked to challenge the defensive press, we are a chance again. Luck with injuries is always defining at the serious end of the season. Like Tiger when he was Tiger, lets just get ourselves in a position to challenge in the final round, for us that is September/October action, and with a fit list, we can do it.

This is part of the art of Victory. Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

[Pedro Sanchez]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

Great article from a neutral - sign him up to Woof!

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

Runs well with the ball - just doesn't get the ball much. Unless he moves from a 12 possession guy to a 22 possession guy he will never have the impact we are after.

Could we realistically expect that Wood might develop that much in 2011?

Do you think the coaching staff would be hoping that we have a more balanced rebounding backline with Murphy there full time and Gilbee and Hargrave hopefully bouncing back. Last year it was very reliant on Harbrow and Gilbee, but better when Murphy and Wood were introduced.

If anything Hargrave dropped off more markedly in 2010 after his best season for the club in 2009

And then Wood continuing to emerge alongside Williams

With Howard, and whoever else taking the more juinor role?

Will the new rules also see Griffen actually rotating off half back more?

I would still love another 20 year old Gilbee on the list

[Mantis]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

I would still love another 20 year old Gilbee on the list

Isn't that what Tutt is supposed to be.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

Isn't that what Tutt is supposed to be.

Thought that was meant to be Howard.

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

Isn't that what Tutt is supposed to be.

Maybe he is, I've tended to think he is a bit smaller and probably wont spoil as well, Gilbee for his height has generally been a good spoiler

I've tended to view Tutt physically as a Leigh Montagna type,

Its an important pre-season and VFL season for Tutt. He doesn't have to dominate, but he has to show real improvement, but it would be good to see him settle in the backline at senior VFL level, with spells midfield

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

I don't think we could ever be Collingwood with the players we have.

Collingwood's list is not really that much superior to ours now. If so, I would like to know how. They have the discipline and the hunger, plus the crowd.
We can beat them on paper. It's all upstairs I reckon.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

Collingwood's list is not really that much superior to ours now. If so, I would like to know how. They have the discipline and the hunger, plus the crowd.
We can beat them on paper. It's all upstairs I reckon.

I have never believed the Collingwood list is superior. In fact it took the addition of Jolly and Ball to bring them to our standard.

What they had was a superb run with injury that gave them effectively a full list when it mattered. We never got near that in 2010.

[Ovatheboarder]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

Collingwood's list is not really that much superior to ours now. If so, I would like to know how. They have the discipline and the hunger, plus the crowd.
We can beat them on paper. It's all upstairs I reckon.

Especially the last line

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

Collingwood's list is not really that much superior to ours now. If so, I would like to know how. They have the discipline and the hunger, plus the crowd.
We can beat them on paper. It's all upstairs I reckon.

Agree 100%. It was very impressive how much consistency and improvement that club got out of its list, with Leigh Brown being a classic example. His kicking for goal and hunger for the contest improved out of sight and this was symptomatic of the rest of the list. That would do it for us too.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

I have never believed the Collingwood list is superior. In fact it took the addition of Jolly and Ball to bring them to our standard.

What they had was a superb run with injury that gave them effectively a full list when it mattered. We never got near that in 2010.

Only this? Much as I despise their tactics, cite their Half backs and their use of blocks on man on the mark from behind. Typical collingwood ruthlessness. Harry O'Brien...have to clip his wings this season.

RE their injuries, I'm assume their pockets are so deep they can afford to clone their players by now.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

Raise the tackle count.
Hope Rocket is able to adapt and try a few new things.

Agree our tackling has to step up in a major way.I'm always reach for the worry beads when Sheehan jumps on our bandwagon

[Dry Rot]

Re: Beware the Western Bulldogs

RE their injuries, I'm assume their pockets are so deep they can afford to clone their players by now.

Their luck may turn on that this season.