Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

[jeemak]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

Yep - I think he needs to develop one "better than average" attribute so will be interesting to see what happens pre-season. He may be the type that develops into an excellent play-reader.

Put work into his legs and core and he could become more explosive off the mark. He could also be taught how to defend.

There's plenty of scope for his game to develop.

[Maddog37]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

I have no real reason why but I like him a bit too. Seems very honest in his efforts.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

Appreciate the detail of the response.

No worries. It helps to think these things out.

Higgins for mine has been more disciplined in the defensive aspects of his game this season, and I think just like every player on our list he still has some areas he needs to improve in. One being to continually work to be in dangerous positions and think how he can influence the next contest from the one he isn't involved in. Sometimes his finishing lets him down, though he's still in the top few players in the club that is likely to create a score when he's near the football. A significan't hindrance to his game is our horrible supply to the forward line, and while his body is a concern I'll happily have him in the side until someone more suited to his role comes along, and the last time I checked there's not really anyone on our list putting their hand up to replace him.

For me this is a big problem with a lot of our player's attitude. They seem happy to do just enough to keep their noses in front of the guy after their place in the team. I wish more of them had that Steve Waugh type attitude where it wasnt good enough just to be beating the opposition but you had to be competing with yourself to make sure you were as good as you could be then better it the next time you went out to play.

That's what guys like Higgins should be making their benchmark, not just getting by. And if the delivery from the guy kicking it to you isnt up to scratch then you let him know about it until it is. To me that's what leaders do, it sorts those who can take it from those who cant and means that if you want to stay in the team or on the list then you always have to be improving.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

I don't think I've been to the footy and been so disinterested. I'm honestly not disappointed, angry or upset. Expected this and I expect it 5 more times before the season end. Fortunately 3 of those are away and I won't be going.

In more interesting news Talia parked where I usually do. He walked right in front of the car when I was trying to park, was about to have a crack at him and noticed the tie he was wearing. I haven't seen him often so I confirmed through Google while walking to the ground.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

I don't think I've been to the footy and been so disinterested. I'm honestly not disappointed, angry or upset. Expected this and I expect it 5 more times before the season end.

Me too unfortunately.

[Desipura]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

All we will end up being is a development team for free agency until we get a real coach, sorry smorgo you got it wrong again...first Peter Rhodes and now Macca.

You sound like a broken record, we get it you don't rate the coach! Do you think if you state it often enough, that he will get the sack.

[jeemak]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

No worries. It helps to think these things out.


For me this is a big problem with a lot of our player's attitude. They seem happy to do just enough to keep their noses in front of the guy after their place in the team. I wish more of them had that Steve Waugh type attitude where it wasnt good enough just to be beating the opposition but you had to be competing with yourself to make sure you were as good as you could be then better it the next time you went out to play.

That's what guys like Higgins should be making their benchmark, not just getting by. And if the delivery from the guy kicking it to you isnt up to scratch then you let him know about it until it is. To me that's what leaders do, it sorts those who can take it from those who cant and means that if you want to stay in the team or on the list then you always have to be improving.

Your last point is one that has concerned me for some time, and it has been an across the board problem for our club. It was evident in 2008 and 2009 when we blew very good chances to demonstrate our competitiveness in qualifying finals only to put in extremely limp and disappointing performances.

Complacency was an issue when we were up the top through our innability to be ruthless and put teams away, and it is now showing with our recent track record in capitulating entirely when the chips are down.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

I like Pearce. He seems to get under opponent's skin at times leading them to whack him but he doesnt take a backward step when they do. He also seems to be able to read the play pretty well.

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

We need a cull not a refresh.

We should never really need a cull, what we should have had was some slightly greater turnover of players a couple of years back.

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

We should never really need a cull, what we should have had was some slightly greater turnover of players a couple of years back.

GVGjr, I know you keep saying that and I can't argue against it. However, what's done is done and we need to have a good hard look at the end of this season and if we need to replace 5, 10, or even 15 players (I know 15 is unrealistic), then so be it. Now is the time to think ahead and do something about it.

How many players do you think we need to turnover? Personally I think somewhere close to ten.

[Eastdog]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

We should never really need a cull, what we should have had was some slightly greater turnover of players a couple of years back.

Who do you think should have we delisted a couple of years back.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

I like Pearce. He seems to get under opponent's skin at times leading them to whack him but he doesnt take a backward step when they do. He also seems to be able to read the play pretty well.

Pearce is a hard one to judge at the moment. He's arguably the most raw player on our list besides Jong, but he does have some solid intensity to his game. We'll know more in years 2 & 3 when he adds size and learns more about the game.

[Eastdog]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

Pearce is a hard one to judge at the moment. He's arguably the most raw player on our list besides Jong, but he does have some solid intensity to his game. We'll know more in years 2 & 3 when he adds size and learns more about the game.

Lin Jong is another kid id like to see get a game to see how he goes at senior level.

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

GVGjr, I know you keep saying that and I can't argue against it. However, what's done is done and we need to have a good hard look at the end of this season and if we need to replace 5, 10, or even 15 players (I know 15 is unrealistic), then so be it. Now is the time to think ahead and do something about it.

How many players do you think we need to turnover? Personally I think somewhere close to ten.

At the moment I think 7 or 8 would be at the top end. It just gets too messy to do the 10 you are suggesting.

[SonofScray]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R18 Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda

Your last point is one that has concerned me for some time, and it has been an across the board problem for our club. It was evident in 2008 and 2009 when we blew very good chances to demonstrate our competitiveness in qualifying finals only to put in extremely limp and disappointing performances.

Complacency was an issue when we were up the top through our innability to be ruthless and put teams away, and it is now showing with our recent track record in capitulating entirely when the chips are down.

Great observation. Make no mistake this is one of the biggest hurdles our Club needs to overcome.