Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

This really is a crucial game in the context of the season and our confidence moving forward. We aren't in good form, but we need to find a way to quickly change that and pick up four points. We need to stay in touch with the likes of Geelong (and Hawthorn, Freo).

If we lose, we could be in trouble ... but a win could really turn things in the right direction.

[mjp]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

Interesting last week North had more disposals, won the contested possessions, hitouts were slightly in favour to Freo (4), and tackles inside 50 -North won. Clearances favoured Freo by 8 and undoubtedly this is where they won the game. (amongst other things).

We need to win contested possessions and clearances and tackle hard. (goes without saying I guess for every game.

Not really. Freo defeated North because they were disciplined defensively and rebounded with some real purpose. Poor kicking was punished...the Freo defenders worked hard to outnumber the North forwards and moved forward well.

It will be the willingness of our mids to press forward (and of our forwards to chase and harrass) that will determine the outcome...if we have faith in our backs to beat their opponents we can survive losing the stoppages.

[Bornadog]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

It will be the willingness of our mids to press forward (and of our forwards to chase and harrass) that will determine the outcome...if we have faith in our backs to beat their opponents we can survive losing the stoppages.

I have faith in our backline especially with Lake back now.

[mjp]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

I have faith in our backline especially with Lake back now.

Me too...so it is up to the rest of them to play their roles!

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

I've pessimistically tipped against us - normally I dont have these crises of faith this early in the year, or around Easter

However, we've not been good yet, and Freo have surprised with their results

I think we have significantly more talent than Freo and should win, but our looseness at stoppages, waivering application and high volume of F50's conceded has me concerned

Nothing will make me happier than a win

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

I am hating that the two games we play after games in WA are Collingwood and Hawthorn, would have liked some "Collingwood fixture luck" to throw us a bye or Gold Coast the week after so we could rest some senior players.

On a tangent it is good to see Harvey trying to pump this game up as much as possible, unfortunately he seems to be a lone hand in trying to give it it's share of Anzac billing and is kinda figthing a losing battle. Hope the Collingwood v Essendon game is a stinker and ours is a thriller with a Dogs goal after the siren by, lets say, Crossy (a spectacular 35m tumble mongrel monster!).

[Hotdog60]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

I am hating that the two games we play after games in WA are Collingwood and Hawthorn, would have liked some "Collingwood fixture luck" to throw us a bye or Gold Coast the week after so we could rest some senior players.

On a tangent it is good to see Harvey trying to pump this game up as much as possible, unfortunately he seems to be a lone hand in trying to give it it's share of Anzac billing and is kinda figthing a losing battle. Hope the Collingwood v Essendon game is a stinker and ours is a thriller with a Dogs goal after the siren by, lets say, Crossy (a spectacular 35m tumble mongrel monster!).

I don't know if my heart would take it, but I like where your coming from

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

A (poor) artists impression of how it will unfold:

[azabob]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

I am hating that the two games we play after games in WA are Collingwood and Hawthorn, would have liked some "Collingwood fixture luck" to throw us a bye or Gold Coast the week after so we could rest some senior players.

On a tangent it is good to see Harvey trying to pump this game up as much as possible, unfortunately he seems to be a lone hand in trying to give it it's share of Anzac billing and is kinda figthing a losing battle. Hope the Collingwood v Essendon game is a stinker and ours is a thriller with a Dogs goal after the siren by, lets say, Crossy (a spectacular 35m tumble mongrel monster!).

I thought we played Sydney after Collingwood?

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

I thought we played Sydney after Collingwood?

We do, what I meant was that the two fixtures after each of our WA games are both tough ie after the Freo game we play Collingwood and after teh West Coast game (in round 9) we play Hawthorn. It would be nice to be able to either have a week off after the WA roadtrips or score an easier opponent like Gold Coast.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

Am Marching in morning then off to Pascoe Vale Rissole for Battalion lunch. Just hope I'm capable enough to watch the game after downing a few frothies with Ole man's war buddies.
I'm not a big fan of Anzac day footy, too much respect for the old diggers, but it is now part of the calendar and I have to put up with it.

Dogs in a close one

[azabob]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

We do, what I meant was that the two fixtures after each of our WA games are both tough ie after the Freo game we play Collingwood and after teh West Coast game (in round 9) we play Hawthorn. It would be nice to be able to either have a week off after the WA roadtrips or score an easier opponent like Gold Coast.

Sorry mate, now I get you and I agree. Good pick up. I feel if we lose to either Pies or Hawks it could be a ready made excuse.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

Am Marching in morning then off to Pascoe Vale Rissole for Battalion lunch. Just hope I'm capable enough to watch the game after downing a few frothies with Ole man's war buddies.
I'm not a big fan of Anzac day footy, too much respect for the old diggers, but it is now part of the calendar and I have to put up with it.
Dogs in a close one

good comment Shnookie

[Maddog37]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

Footy does piggy back on the Anzacs which is a touch crass but in turn it does bring a focus to the day and what it means. Especially for the younger generations with no other real connection to the events it is commemorating.

[Raw Toast]

Re: Round 5 Preview - Dogs @ Dockers, Monday 25th

Thanks for the excellent preview MJP - I hope we surprise you in a good way, and actually think we should win, though I'm pretty nervous of course.

The reasons for my confidence are:
1) Hudson has a pretty good record against Sandilands and if he can nullify him again that will help us no end
2) Lake is back and I like our defensive unit
3) Typically we've enjoyed running our Subiaco

I know you're joking but the overwhelming feel I am getting (may well be wrong) is that most find the Collingwood game more 'important'.

I actually find the Collingwood game the 'least' important of our next 3. Sure, go in and do as much as we can but I find the Freo and Swans game either side of it as much more variable. I would much prefer wins over Freo and/or the Swans than a 'valiant' effort against Collingwood.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to compromise any game but if we have to, I would compromise our least variable game.

Agreed - and good way of putting it Rocco. If we lose this one then it's going to take some work to get our season back on track.