Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

[westdog54]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Yet another brilliant write up. The quality of the previews this year has been outstanding.

I mentioned in the MC thread that if this game really turns to poo I wouldn't mind seeing a ruckman subbed either at half time or early in the 3rd and Murphy moved to CHF. Don't think it will happen though.

I can see another 10 goal loss coming.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I think the coach loves Markovic

That's ok, just thought for balance they should have both played - I think it serves us better long term if we sacrifice someone like Hargrave for Austin.

Must have really needed the rest...

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Great stuff Stache.



This.

I don't see how or why Markovic comes straight back -- absolutely idiotic -- and I'd pick Austin over him fully fit anyway.

Markovic can handle the power players.
Austin has done better than we probably expected, but has been found wanting by the bigger opponents. He struggled to compete against Merrett and was also found wanting against Chris Dawes and Tom Hawkins. In reality is competing more with Hargrave for the third tall spot.

[SlimPickens]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Good write up Grey.

Going to be a tough night at the office for the lads. Hopefully we can have a really competitive four qtr effort.

Agree with Crameri being a difficult match up. Initially thought Austin would have been the obvious choice.

[Mantis]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Good work on the preview.

The Stanton match-up is an interesting one. From memory Howard had the role early on last year and got torched. Can only see Picken going with him, Cross hasn't shown the ability to play the role for a while now.

This is the first time since 2000 that I have no interest in going to the match for amongst other reasons having to listen to their awful supporters as we cop a belting... Let's hope we see a similiar result....

A competitive effort would be a welcomed response after terrible efforts in 2 of our last 3 games. Lets hope the coaches (senior & assistant) inside knowldge will help us come up with a game plan that can match Essendon for long parts of the game.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Markovic can handle the power players.
Austin has done better than we probably expected, but has been found wanting by the bigger opponents. He struggled to compete against Merrett and was also found wanting against Chris Dawes and Tom Hawkins. In reality is competing more with Hargrave for the third tall spot.

In theory, I agree, but Markovic has rarely ever curbed the power forwards either. Especially the ones of quality.

Austin did OK on Dawes, Lake was the one who got belted by Hawkins.

Austin's two ordinary matches came against GWS on Cameron and Brisbane on Merrett. He's really stiff to miss.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

A competitive effort would be a welcomed response after terrible efforts in 2 of our last 3 games. Lets hope the coaches (senior & assistant) inside knowledge will help us come up with a game plan that can match Essendon for long parts of the game.

Is it fair to worry about the coach and his staff if we aren't competitive/structure up badly/have a poor plan against a team Macca and others should know well?

[Mantis]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Is it fair to worry about the coach and his staff if we aren't competitive/structure up badly/have a poor plan against a team Macca and others should know well?

One would think (hope) that both Brendan & Shannon have a good grip on the way that Essendon like to play and some of the strengths/ weaknesses of their players and game plan.

One would hope we could use this to our advantage and as you suggest put forward a game style which will be pretty competitive.

[Ozza]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I'm just hoping like hell we tag Stanton. He usually locks himself in for 35 touches against us. Teams who have beaten Essendon in the last few weeks have all tagged him - I think its probably a no brainer for Picken to go to Stanton (but Cross as a run with is an interesting suggestion as well).

[jeemak]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Good preview mate.

Agree with your summation of the margin. I feel we're likely to get an absolute pasting.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Thank you for the preview.

I'm really worried about Essendons run and defensive pressure. I can't see us getting close unfortunately.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I found the preview prediction by Greystache that we would be defeated by 50+ points extremely disappointing and typical of the negativity that currently dominates the thoughts of many Woofers on this site. We forget that Essendon was defeated by lowly Melbourne a couple of weeks ago or the gutsy efforts of our Club's efforts against last year's Grand finalists.
Why would Hurley for example who got Essendon over the line last week with 6 goals do likewise against the best key defender going around in Brian Lake.
Do we really think that Boyd and Griffen are not capable of matching Watson and Stanton in the midfield?
With due respect it doesn't take a genius to predict Essendon to win after our performanc against the Brisbane Lions, but I would prefer to say that the return of Minson, Hargrave, Sherman and Markovic will strengthen the line up and that we are capable of winning.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I found the preview prediction by Greystache that we would be defeated by 50+ points extremely disappointing and typical of the negativity that currently dominates the thoughts of many Woofers on this site. We forget that Essendon was defeated by lowly Melbourne a couple of weeks ago or the gutsy efforts of our Club's efforts against last year's Grand finalists.
Why would Hurley for example who got Essendon over the line last week with 6 goals do likewise against the best key defender going around in Brian Lake.
Do we really think that Boyd and Griffen are not capable of matching Watson and Stanton in the midfield?
With due respect it doesn't take a genius to predict Essendon to win after our performanc against the Brisbane Lions, but I would prefer to say that the return of Minson, Hargrave, Sherman and Markovic will strengthen the line up and that we are capable of winning.

Admire this post and thanks for the injection of optimism. Made me reflect on trying to be more balanced in my views.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I do rate Boyd and Griff against Watson and Stanton. Hurley won't do much and think Essendon will come out expecting to spank us, then we get an early jump on them ( like we did against Collingwood ) but may still loose the game by 3-4 goals late in the last.

Won't be surprised though if we beat them as this round for tipping is fairly obvious, and when it's obvious there is usually an upset. Let's hope that upset is us against Essendon and not Melbourne against Brisbane haha pumped for this game missing my misses brothers bday for it!!!

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Preview- Round 14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I found the preview prediction by Greystache that we would be defeated by 50+ points extremely disappointing and typical of the negativity that currently dominates the thoughts of many Woofers on this site. We forget that Essendon was defeated by lowly Melbourne a couple of weeks ago or the gutsy efforts of our Club's efforts against last year's Grand finalists.
Why would Hurley for example who got Essendon over the line last week with 6 goals do likewise against the best key defender going around in Brian Lake.
Do we really think that Boyd and Griffen are not capable of matching Watson and Stanton in the midfield?
With due respect it doesn't take a genius to predict Essendon to win after our performanc against the Brisbane Lions, but I would prefer to say that the return of Minson, Hargrave, Sherman and Markovic will strengthen the line up and that we are capable of winning.

On paper we look pretty good, we have a good midfield, a good backline and the Stats show we are number one in the AFL for CP, Clearances and Disposals, but unfortunately we have only won 5 games and Essendon have only lost 3 and we just can't kick goals.