Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

[Mantis]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

Spot on. Gilbs just needs to do the job he's asked. His kicking needs to be precise with distance, and he certainly needs to take advantage of any set shots at goal if he is considered one of the better kicks in the team.

And if he can't and we keep him in the team we will be left in the same situation as last year.

While it's true that we need the young guys to improve, and we will get a boost from the guys who had last season runied by injury we will still need a good contribution across the board and we will not be able to carry players.

[comrade]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

If Gilbee leaks goals early in the season, could we try someone like Callan Ward across half back and bring Wallis or Liberatore into the midfield. Just because the kids we have lined up as designated half backs (Howard, Tutt, Schofield) aren't quite ready for senior footy, shouldn't mean Gilbee keeps his spot.

Hopefully we also have Shaggy as an option for the second half of the year.

[GVGjr]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

If Gilbee leaks goals early in the season, could we try someone like Callan Ward across half back and bring Wallis or Liberatore into the midfield. Just because the kids we have lined up as designated half backs (Howard, Tutt, Schofield) aren't quite ready for senior footy, shouldn't mean Gilbee keeps his spot.

Hopefully we also have Shaggy as an option for the second half of the year.

I suggested Ward being used as a defender or a defensive winger a couple of weeks back but I think a few thought he had to be played right in the midfield similar to Joel Selwood.

Not sure what the right answer is but I still like your suggestion.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

At least they might stop whinging for a moment or two.Had SEN on late last night and you guessed it a Norf whinge . One of them was complaining about Norf not being on Friday nights and to many Foxtel games!! Complain Complain Complain.

Destiny is in their own hands!If they get bums on seats, and numbers up on membership, then they wont be complaining wouldnt they!

"Sell more of the product that no-one sees and then we will give you more commercials".

That is fairly backward thinking in my opinion and there are probably many valid reasons to hate North Melbourne but I dont think this is one of them.

It seems that people have very short memories or don't realise that this did (and probably still does) mirror our predicament. How many prelims have we made in recent memory? We have record membership right? So why do we continue to get reasonably poor exposure compared to the 'big' clubs?

If the pendulum swings and we make our way back down to the foot of the table will we be in a strong enough position to avoid a North-like predicament? I hope so. But if we do run into trouble and the numbers drop off etc. then we will be whinging about the exact same things.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

If Gilbee leaks goals early in the season, could we try someone like Callan Ward across half back and bring Wallis or Liberatore into the midfield. Just because the kids we have lined up as designated half backs (Howard, Tutt, Schofield) aren't quite ready for senior footy, shouldn't mean Gilbee keeps his spot.

Hopefully we also have Shaggy as an option for the second half of the year.

Spot On. Half Back is one of the easier (if there is such a thing) places to play and where a lot of coaches like to blood new talent. If Gilbee isn't earning his keep, there are plenty of players who would be putting their hands up to be given a run there.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

Kick-ins - Murphy, Wood, anyone.

Up the field - No. He would be competing with other fringe types like Moles & Hill for this type of role and I see more upside in these 2 compared with Gilbee.

Even at his peak 4-5 years ago, Gilbee was only ever an average HFF or Wingman. Every year back then, there was talk of pushing him forward but it never eventuated in any semi-regular fashion because he just wasn't that good up the ground.
If we try to move Gilbee again now, that will be his first foot out the door IMO.

[Twodogs]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

If the pendulum swings and we make our way back down to the foot of the table will we be in a strong enough position to avoid a North-like predicament? I hope so. But if we do run into trouble and the numbers drop off etc. then we will be whinging about the exact same things.

The big difference between North's pendulum and our's is North's natural constinuency covers Errol st. and Kensington/Flemington while ours extends from Footscray through to Werribee and Melton including areas like St Albans, Williamstown and Altona. That's roughly the population of Adelaide in difference.

North getting the bum's rush from Southern Tassie was a disaster for them in more ways than one.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

I'd rather not see Gilbee line up in round one, either. I feel he's been very average for a sustained period of time, including this pre-season. Time to re-shuffle.

Ward is a good suggestion. Picken is a possibility. This would allow Libba to be included in the squad. Another option is Hill who has reportedly done OK off the half back this pre-season, and maybe Stack.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

"Sell more of the product that no-one sees and then we will give you more commercials".

That is fairly backward thinking in my opinion and there are probably many valid reasons to hate North Melbourne but I dont think this is one of them.

It seems that people have very short memories or don't realise that this did (and probably still does) mirror our predicament. How many prelims have we made in recent memory? We have record membership right? So why do we continue to get reasonably poor exposure compared to the 'big' clubs?

If the pendulum swings and we make our way back down to the foot of the table will we be in a strong enough position to avoid a North-like predicament? I hope so. But if we do run into trouble and the numbers drop off etc. then we will be whinging about the exact same things.

Big hurt for North is the sustained success in the 90's and the lack of flow on now.
I'd like to see if we had that success I'd imagine we'd have a few more fans.
They just didn't embrace anybody during that time,for mine they're geographically cornered and in trouble .

[egan-kennedy-ford]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

Gilbee's lack of form is a big worry. Our 3 attacking, running defenders in recent years have been Gilbee, Hargrave and Harbrow. With the other 2 out of the picture, Gilbee's removal would place a big weight on Easton Wood's shoulders.

If Gilbee can't recapture his form quickly, maybe Justin Sherman is an option. I thought his best footy at the Lions was off half back and he has similar attributes as Gilbee - hard runner and ball carrier and penetrating disposal.

Not convinced he's settling in across half forward, may appreciate a bit of space to run and carry.

[boydogs]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

I'd rather not see Gilbee line up in round one, either. I feel he's been very average for a sustained period of time, including this pre-season. Time to re-shuffle.

Griff has been average in the pre-season too, can we really take that as gospel when evaluating form? I'd want to see him in premiership matches before potting him. He wasn't on the chopping block towards the end of last year.

Ward is a good suggestion. Picken is a possibility. This would allow Libba to be included in the squad. Another option is Hill who has reportedly done OK off the half back this pre-season, and maybe Stack.

Nothing wrong with playing an extra mid across half back IMO.

Gilbee's lack of form is a big worry. Our 3 attacking, running defenders in recent years have been Gilbee, Hargrave and Harbrow. With the other 2 out of the picture, Gilbee's removal would place a big weight on Easton Wood's shoulders.

If Gilbee can't recapture his form quickly, maybe Justin Sherman is an option. I thought his best footy at the Lions was off half back and he has similar attributes as Gilbee - hard runner and ball carrier and penetrating disposal.

Not convinced he's settling in across half forward, may appreciate a bit of space to run and carry.

Gilbee, Murphy and Wood are in the side this year, but if Gilbee isn't performing then we do have other options.

Sherman moved to the Dogs so that he could play his attacking midfielder role without being shuffled around all the time, I'd rather Addison, Ward, Cross or Griff there.

[Mofra]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

Even at his peak 4-5 years ago, Gilbee was only ever an average HFF or Wingman. Every year back then, there was talk of pushing him forward but it never eventuated in any semi-regular fashion because he just wasn't that good up the ground.
If we try to move Gilbee again now, that will be his first foot out the door IMO.

At his peak he played on opposition resting ruckmen, killed them on the rebound and on average conceded only 1 goal a game.
He was a very good footballer, and the hope is this year he will maintain enough form to be a serviceable one.

[Ozza]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

If Gilbee leaks goals early in the season, could we try someone like Callan Ward across half back and bring Wallis or Liberatore into the midfield. Just because the kids we have lined up as designated half backs (Howard, Tutt, Schofield) aren't quite ready for senior footy, shouldn't mean Gilbee keeps his spot.

Hopefully we also have Shaggy as an option for the second half of the year.

I'm not convinced Ward has the defensive capabilities to play in defence. Ward hunts the ball and is good at that - but doesn't really appear to me to be the type capable of a shut down role.

[the banker]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

picken lake morris
murphy williams wood
cross boyd ward
gia jones higgins
grant hall vez/zeph

hudson cooney griffen

Sherman libba/DJ minson/roughead (sub) Hill


If Gilbee drops off the back half doesn't look any worst for this. Picken, murp, williams and wood provide plenty of run. Although the kicking may not be as precise.
This may let Libba/DJ in for picken's midfield spot?

[comrade]

Re: Dogs v Roos in Ballarat

I'm not convinced Ward has the defensive capabilities to play in defence. Ward hunts the ball and is good at that - but doesn't really appear to me to be the type capable of a shut down role.

Yep, it's a good point. He was torched by Enright in particular last year when he went ball chasing instead of staying in his back pocket.

Perhaps Picken is a better option.