Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

[Greystache]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

The good sides also effectively have dragged Murphy back deep to cut off his drive from half back. The loss of Morris and now Addison and drop off in form of both Gilbee and Hargrave hasn't helped. I would still love to see Murphy at half forward to lift our poor attack.

I agree. Teams are setting up to limit Murphy's defensive rebound and have been successful in exploiting his defensive weaknesses. It's difficult as we don't really have many options to combat small quick forwards with Morris' injury and our general lack of pace and athleticism on the list, but I think Murphy's output has been pretty limited this year and it's time to move him back to the forward line for a period.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

I agree. Teams are setting up to limit Murphy's defensive rebound and have been successful in exploiting his defensive weaknesses. It's difficult as we don't really have many options to combat small quick forwards with Morris' injury and our general lack of pace and athleticism on the list, but I think Murphy's output has been pretty limited this year and it's time to move him back to the forward line for a period.

Move him into the midfield rather than forward.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

I think we should smash them in the midfield since Carlton are without a designated ruckman and Judd. Also apart from Betts, Carlton's forward line is hardly dangerous. Lake should be able to cut off many attacks.

I'm confident we can win this one and I'm tipping the dogs for the first time since the Port game.

Likewise.

My only concern is Betts and Garlett -- with the likes of Howard, Pearce and Veszpremi as our small defensive options, I could see them kicking 5 each.

Garlett has been horrible this season, but naturally we'll play him back into form.

Hold these two and we'll win IMO.

[Greystache]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

Move him into the midfield rather than forward.

He's never been a prolific ball winner through the midfield and his accountability is questionable at best. Transition from halfback, lead up options across half forward, and the final kick into the forward 50m have been major issues all season. Murphy moving to half forward could help to improve that area of the ground (and hopefully make us a bit more watchable)

[azabob]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

Likewise.

My only concern is Betts and Garlett -- with the likes of Howard, Pearce and Veszpremi as our small defensive options, I could see them kicking 5 each.

Garlett has been horrible this season, but naturally we'll play him back into form.

Hold these two and we'll win IMO.

I touched on our lack of agile backman to hold Betts and Garlett. Garlett hasn't had a sniff all year, but likely he will kick a few tonight and if Betts and Garlett kick a few each, we will struggle to win.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

I wouldn't mind seeing Grant on Garlett for a bit. Grant has the raw pace and it's not like Garlett is physical. Howard and Gilbee just are too slow.

I would also like to see Picken go to Yarran and really bully him. Added bonus of Liam's goal nous.

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

It makes me furious when small forwards just walk over us every single bloody time.
Milne, Malera, Betts, Garlett and the list goes on.

In his one game they beat us by 63 points, pretty easy game for a small forward. He got 15 touches, 2 tackles and didn't even bother the scorers. His direct opponent, the mighty Dylan Addison, had 18 touches, 2 tackles and scored a behind.

[F'scary]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

The good sides also effectively have dragged Murphy back deep to cut off his drive from half back. The loss of Morris and now Addison and drop off in form of both Gilbee and Hargrave hasn't helped. I would still love to see Murphy at half forward to lift our poor attack.

This is yet another of the suggestions I was throwing around before Round 1 that should have been taken up by the coach.

I am really pleased to see Williams named at full forward. Might be the go to try and make this his permanent spot. If he knows how to lead and can convert at a rate of about 67%, FF problem solved for the next 2 years or so. At least we're trying a class player there this time.

For me, its getting a bit make or break with Cordy as a forward. I'm almost convinced he's a ruckman and that's that. Because of the sub rule, Minson and the second ruckman can just take turns to hide in the forward pocket. Any input they have there is a bonus - generally expect nothing.

So Gilbee gets another game. I really don't understand how this contributes to rebuilding our side. Sorry but for me, its now the same with Gia.

Thanks for the top preview Azabob, better than MSM as I say. Also, Picken must be in the running for b&f this year. Captain next year?

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

So Gilbee gets another game. I really don't understand how this contributes to rebuilding our side. Sorry but for me, its now the same with Gia.

Gia/Gilbee and other senior players are mentors to young players and help them on the ground. Like it or not that is how the coach has structured it.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

In his one game they beat us by 63 points, pretty easy game for a small forward. He got 15 touches, 2 tackles and didn't even bother the scorers. His direct opponent, the mighty Dylan Addison, had 18 touches, 2 tackles and scored a behind.

You take my point though. Our backline is slow. Krakouer, Betts, the list goes on

[Hotdog60]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

Gilbee had a reasonable game against freo. Pace is a issue but he has been out of the seniors for a long while and he maybe a useful player once he gets back to the pace of the game.
While on Gilbee could we offer him a coaching role next year as a kicking skills coach. Didn't have a junior kicking school a season or two back. God knows we need someone to tutor the youngsters like clay. Imagine if he had Gilbee's kicking skills he would be a real weapon.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

Gilbee had a reasonable game against freo. Pace is a issue but he has been out of the seniors for a long while and he maybe a useful player once he gets back to the pace of the game.
While on Gilbee could we offer him a coaching role next year as a kicking skills coach. Didn't have a junior kicking school a season or two back. God knows we need someone to tutor the youngsters like clay. Imagine if he had Gilbee's kicking skills he would be a real weapon.

No need to pay him as a coach next year, he shouldbe doing this now with any spare time they get, this is the model that MBac is bedding down into our club now.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

Thanks for the top preview Azabob, better than MSM as I say. Also, Picken must be in the running for b&f this year. Captain next year?

What's wrong with Boyd? Can't make changes just for the sake of making changes.

[KT31]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

Thanks for the top preview Azabob, better than MSM as I say. Also, Picken must be in the running for b&f this year. Captain next year?

Boyd will still be a well desevant Captain next season.
What sort of message would it send out to the group if a bloke who bleeds for us and puts it all on the line each week in and week out gets the take the captaincy taken away from him ?
Picken should end up in the top players but IMO it will come down to Boyd and Griff.

[F'scary]

Re: Match Preview: Round 17 Western Bulldogs vs Carlton

Boyd will still be a well desevant Captain next season.
What sort of message would it send out to the group if a bloke who bleeds for us and puts it all on the line each week in and week out gets the take the captaincy taken away from him ?
Picken should end up in the top players but IMO it will come down to Boyd and Griff.

Ok, but maybe 2014 if he (Picken) keeps playing like he does.