Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

Mulligan.

Does that mean we get to delete the game today and play it again ?

[AndrewP6]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

The most disappointing thing today for mine, apart from the blowout, was the poor contributions/efforts from some of our senior players.

[Maddog37]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

The most disappointing thing today for mine, apart from the blowout, was the poor contributions/efforts from some of our senior players.

That will be more and more the case though won't it? That is part of the transition to the next generation.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

That will be more and more the case though won't it? That is part of the transition to the next generation.

Doesn't have to be that way does it? Goodes, Fletch, Barry Hall. Age does / did not diminish them. I reckon Bob has to go back to basics. He's doing some really, really, risky things of late. Too cute by half.
Out of the back half, sometimes a contested ball on the boundary is better than a pinpoint pass inside our own 50.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

That will be more and more the case though won't it? That is part of the transition to the next generation.

On the contrary, the younger blokes need their senior 'leaders' to show them how it's done (and by 'It's', I mean fundamentals.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

The most disappointing thing today for mine, apart from the blowout, was the poor contributions/efforts from some of our senior players.

We lacked desperation under pressure apart from Griffen Addison and Smith who were terrific today. Competitive players like Cross Dahlhaus Liberatore and Williams have been big losses. The poor use of Lake by the MC didn't help. If he is meant to play FF then leave him there. Little point Lake playing loose in defence for half the game.We were beaten badly out of the centre once Minson began to tire. This would have been the opportunity to use Campbell who looks our best option as a second string ruckman. Roughead is still coming to terms as a defender and still needs more experience down back.Against the talent of the SS, DJ Cordy Skinner and newcomer Roberts didn't measure up today. Markovic Wood Higgins and Cooney were all underdone.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

I mentioned this once before, but could Skinner make it as a defender. His leap maybe to advantage and today he was at HB and sold the dummy and looked ok. He rucked better than Cordy. Marking wouldn't be nearly as crucial providing he can spoil, has a bit of zip and like to tackle.

Might save him.

[SlimPickens]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

The most disappointing thing today for mine, apart from the blowout, was the poor contributions/efforts from some of our senior players.

Agree time after time they turned the ball over.

Boyd handballing it to a stagnate Gia who missed the handball back causing a turnover, the missed handball between Lake and Murphy.


All in all an ordinary day for the senior group

[G-Mo77]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

Murphy and Lake would have been in the MMM worst votes.

I don't know, the scoreboard looked horrible but there were a few glimpses there that were impressive. The first quarter is were we want to be, maintaining that is the hard part.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

Mark Stevens Tweeting that Gilbs has retired, "still has sore spots, so no farewell game"

[Eastdog]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

Mark Stevens Tweeting that Gilbs has retired, "still has sore spots, so no farewell game"

Could they do something if not the last two rounds first round 2013 for Gilbee.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

We lacked desperation under pressure apart from Griffen Addison and Smith who were terrific today. Competitive players like Cross Dahlhaus Liberatore and Williams have been big losses. The poor use of Lake by the MC didn't help. If he is meant to play FF then leave him there. Little point Lake playing loose in defence for half the game.We were beaten badly out of the centre once Minson began to tire. This would have been the opportunity to use Campbell who looks our best option as a second string ruckman. Roughead is still coming to terms as a defender and still needs more experience down back.Against the talent of the SS, DJ Cordy Skinner and newcomer Roberts didn't measure up today. Markovic Wood Higgins and Cooney were all underdone.

Desperation is Liam Picken's middle name. Thought Wood was quite ok V Goodes for chunks of the game.

[Sedat]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

Desperation is Liam Picken's middle name.

Likewise it is Smith's as well. Terrific effort from a 1st year player to have almost a quarter of the entire team's tackles, and against a tough experienced midfield brigade. Gee I wish he could kick (although he wasn't dire by foot today). I really, really want him to overcome his poor foot skill because I absolutely love his desire and attack at the contest.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

Likewise it is Smith's as well. Terrific effort from a 1st year player to have almost a quarter of the entire team's tackles, and against a tough experienced midfield brigade. Gee I wish he could kick (although he wasn't dire by foot today). I really, really want him to overcome his poor foot skill because I absolutely love his desire and attack at the contest.

This.

Early on I wasn't a fan of Smith's, but since he's been able to string a number of games together, he has really improved to the extent that I enjoy watching him play more than most others on our list. His intensity is INCREDIBLE for any player, let alone a first year player. This guy is going to be an absolute beast in 3-4 years time. It's a big call but I don't think I've seen anyone attack the ball/man like he does -- at the least, he's gotta be equal with Archer.

Smith makes it difficult not to like him. Obviously his kicking needs work but if he can improve it ala Jobe Watson, he could be something very special.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day 2012 - R21 Western Bulldogs vs Sydney

My short take on the game:

- We have some young talent to work with. Smith and Jong were really impressive and despite having similar faults, there's no doubt they can 'play' at this level. Jong was great in the first quarter. He's already quite strong and is a good athlete who is very courageous. He made a few skill errors, but he wasn't as bad as I thought he'd be my foot. Thought he used his body well in contests and has quick hands in close. There's a lot to like -- if he can replicate this performance in the next two games, he'll get upgraded. Additionally, JJ could be a really classy player in years to come. He has great composure and uses the ball well in both a physical sense (skill level) and a mental sense (decision making). He also takes the game on, but he does so at the right time, not Harbrow-like where it's boom or bust.

- Dickson is a really quality forward with great goal sense, a nice burst of speed and an ability to win one-on-one contests. In a good side, Dickson could kick 40+ goals. I'm excited to see him develop next season.

- Griffen deserves a mention. I don't think he's had a great year, but that was his best game for the club arguably. He was enormous in every sense of the word; we got hammered in the end, but Griff showed a real 'Hodge' like ability to drag the side over the line. Still wish he'd put his hand up to be inthe leadership group.

- Our senior core is poor. Boyd's ability to find the ball is second to none, but what's the point when you continually butcher it? Truth is he hurts us more than he benefits us. Murphy's decline has been rapid and I'd suggest he only has one year left, Lake possibly the same (a shift forward may extend his career) and Gia is physically finished. When you add Markovic and DJ to this group of senior players, it's an ugly mix. This group has let us down constantly this season and again today when the pressure was turned up.

It sounds harsh and dis-respectful, and I do mean this in the nicest possible way, but I'm looking forward to our senior group moving on so that we can develop a new batch of leaders.