Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

[jazzadogs]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I don't understand...before the season started, the overwhelming consensus was that our list was going to struggle, we lacked quality and speed, and that contested ball would be our strength. Everyone seemed fairly happy with that (with some exceptions, AndrewP6 being one off the top of my head). Having just had a look over the 'Predictions' thread, the majority picked us to finish 12th-14th with a few 'lucky' 7ths and 8ths.

Sure, we're not playing very well tonight and haven't for the last few weeks, but I don't see what is surprising about it.

We're slow.
We lack spread, which ties into our lack of speed.
Our forward line is dysfunctional.
Our skills are poor.
We have poor on-field leadership.

We knew all of that before the season. They are all tied into personnel, which Macca has not had the opportunity to control. There's only so much education he can do.

As disappointing as the season is, it's hardly a surprise and I struggle to feel too upset about it. Our young players are getting exposure to AFL, we are developing leaders and a new game style. Change isn't going to happen overnight. We have a poor list, and need to expect poor games.

[azabob]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

A treacle slow team gets slower.

Macca has a fascination with loading up on talls. I wonder if it's part of his long term game plan, or if he just wants to see which ones he should keep on the list while expectations for wins are low.

Two talls are required to win finals, so I guess its a little from both columns.

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

What about campbell ?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

What about campbell ?

Yes I would add him to the keeps

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I don't understand...before the season started, the overwhelming consensus was that our list was going to struggle, we lacked quality and speed, and that contested ball would be our strength. Everyone seemed fairly happy with that (with some exceptions, AndrewP6 being one off the top of my head). Having just had a look over the 'Predictions' thread, the majority picked us to finish 12th-14th with a few 'lucky' 7ths and 8ths.

Sure, we're not playing very well tonight and haven't for the last few weeks, but I don't see what is surprising about it.

We're slow.
We lack spread, which ties into our lack of speed.
Our forward line is dysfunctional.
Our skills are poor.
We have poor on-field leadership.

We knew all of that before the season. They are all tied into personnel, which Macca has not had the opportunity to control. There's only so much education he can do.

As disappointing as the season is, it's hardly a surprise and I struggle to feel too upset about it. Our young players are getting exposure to AFL, we are developing leaders and a new game style. Change isn't going to happen overnight. We have a poor list, and need to expect poor games.

You're correct but I think the problem is that we've shown signs this year that perhaps we're not cooked, which has in turn falsely raised our expectations a little. Now we look poo again so people are dissapointed.

[Desipura]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Interesting that Gia is talking to Boyd in the rooms at half time.
I would have thought one of our leaders could offer some words of wisdom to some of our youngsters.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

We knew all of that before the season. They are all tied into personnel, which Macca has not had the opportunity to control. There's only so much education he can do.

As disappointing as the season is, it's hardly a surprise and I struggle to feel too upset about it. Our young players are getting exposure to AFL, we are developing leaders and a new game style. Change isn't going to happen overnight. We have a poor list, and need to expect poor games.

Personally I'm over the education piece, I thought it is easy get the ball or get a man.

I cant understand why players like Lake, Cooney, Higgins, Boyd, Cross cant make something happen, It seems IMO that the only boys having a crack are the kids, yes they are making a few mistakes but at least they are having a go! If you want the big bucks you should earn them.

As far as I'm concerned these guys need to stop this education #@$% and get back to the basics and get on a man.

[soupman]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Interesting that Gia is talking to Boyd in the rooms at half time.
I would have thought one of our leaders could offered some words of wisdom to some of our youngsters.

I thought Gia was talking to someone sitting against the pole out of sight, and Boyd was to the side and talking to a non-player. Mind you I woulnd't mind if Gia could tell Boyd how to hit up a target.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Sure, we're not playing very well tonight and haven't for the last few weeks, but I don't see what is surprising about it.

Jazza, I'm not surprised with the loss, it's more the effort the players are putting in. Watching Essendon play is the supporters job, not the bulldog players job.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Personally I'm over the education piece, I thought it is easy get the ball or get a man.

I cant understand why players like Lake, Cooney, Higgins, Boyd, Cross cant make something happen, It seems IMO that the only boys having a crack are the kids, yes they are making a few mistakes but at least they are having a go! If you want the big bucks you should earn them.

As far as I'm concerned these guys need to stop this education #@$% and get back to the basics and get on a man.

I disagree in part. I'd say BMac and what he brings was probably an integral part of Geelong's success. BUT, at Geelong he had players with superior skills and far better leaders at his disposal.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

I don't understand...before the season started, the overwhelming consensus was that our list was going to struggle, we lacked quality and speed, and that contested ball would be our strength. Everyone seemed fairly happy with that (with some exceptions, AndrewP6 being one off the top of my head). Having just had a look over the 'Predictions' thread, the majority picked us to finish 12th-14th with a few 'lucky' 7ths and 8ths.

Sure, we're not playing very well tonight and haven't for the last few weeks, but I don't see what is surprising about it.

We're slow.
We lack spread, which ties into our lack of speed.
Our forward line is dysfunctional.
Our skills are poor.
We have poor on-field leadership.

We knew all of that before the season. They are all tied into personnel, which Macca has not had the opportunity to control. There's only so much education he can do.

As disappointing as the season is, it's hardly a surprise and I struggle to feel too upset about it. Our young players are getting exposure to AFL, we are developing leaders and a new game style. Change isn't going to happen overnight. We have a poor list, and need to expect poor games.

All valid points. For mine though, it still doesn't make it any easier or pleasing to watch.
I think alot of the cynicism is tied to the snow-job the club tried to pull on it's members with the whole 'refresh' line, when they decided on turfing out our previous coach for a new coach.
I think our previous coach may've given the club an assessment of our list that they refused to accept at the end of the year. When it is plain to see that our list was heading towards a crash. Yet instead of acknowledging the hard road that was ahead, and trying to galvanise the supporters around a longer term plan, they've tried to patronise supporters with belief that we are not engaging on a lengthy list overhaul.
The fact that the majority of predictions of our ladder position here at the start of the season were for a low finish, I think most supporters were not fooled by line of a quick turnaround, which begs the question - If the majority of fans could see this, why would the club try and peddle such an unrealistic view of our immediate fortunes?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Murph subbed out for Roughy....
Could we have been anymore tactically unwise with our choice of sub?

[Drunken Bum]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Disgusting kick from Boyd and then another pisspoor effort from 2 defenders, Howard being one of them again :/

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Sherman murders it, turns over on the spread and thenMarko looses badly a foot race.......the pain..

[Desipura]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R14 Western Bulldogs vs Essendon

Markovic way too slow. Jones kicks it out on the full whilst trying to kick to a lead. Smith dobs it.
I think we need to cut really deep into our list and gain even more picks inside the first 3 rounds at the National draft.