Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

[jazzadogs]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

The latter point was really lead by Dickson. His first two games for the club were pretty ordinary from that point, since then, he's been magnificent at pressuring the opposition.

Agree, Dickson's pressure was excellent. Tackles just seemed to stick today...Griff and Clay had one each at high-speed in the last quarter that you just wouldn't expect to stick! Next to a goal or a good contested mark, I reckon a strong tackle is the best thing to see in our game. Similar to when Lenny Hayes ragdolled Easton Wood last year, lifts the guys around you.

Re: the new guys, very impressive. Was good to see Lower stand up for Gia, in his first game for the club. Flying the flag is something that our guys haven't necessarily excelled at in recent times, and he toed the line between aggressive and silly well.

Great to see Cooney with some zip back as well.

Really, it was just a great day at the footy and hard to pick any negatives (other than some isolated incidents) out of it.

Gather the f'ing pack.

[Maddog37]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Boyd?

Griffen is our best player.

Or is Minson?

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

A feature of the 4 debuts was their ability to dispose of the ball correctly. Our disposal last year was woeful and clubs like Hawthorn and Geelong led the way with such a strong emphasis on correct disposal. Minson was excellent in the ruck and Liberatore showed that he has the ability to become an elite midfielder. Cordy was good today in the way he was prepared to put himself in the contest. Great to see Morris and Cooney back. Finally a word of praise for BMcC who has had plenty of critics but will ultimately prove to be a good choice as coach.

The four recruits were outstanding and not only were their skills effective their decision making as terrific. Young probably struggled to run out the game but he put in a very solid effort.
Goodes barely put a foot wrong and his skills were first rate. Lower owned the dangerous Rich and Stevens provided a lot of run.

The efforts by Morris and Cooney just topped us off. Cooney in particular moved so well. The return of Liberatore though was terrific.

Did anyone notice Roughead struggling a bit with his fitness?

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Thanks.

I only heard the tail end of the ABC radio online - they were banging on about our pressure on the opposition generally, and in particular, in our forward 50.

Mark Maclure, who has never been a big fan of us, sang our praises for the pressure we applied throughout the game.

[jeemak]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Or is Minson?

No. Minson is a good ruckman, that has really come into his own since being handed the responsibility he deserved when Rockett was in his final year as coach.

Super happy with the way he played today, though I think he'll go under the radar in the football public this year, and the Cornes and Pearce families will still hate him.

[jeemak]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

The four recruits were outstanding and not only were their skills effective their decision making as terrific. Young probably struggled to run out the game but he put in a very solid effort.
Goodes barely put a foot wrong and his skills were first rate. Lower owned the dangerous Rich and Stevens provided a lot of run.

The efforts by Morris and Cooney just topped us off. Cooney in particular moved so well. The return of Liberatore though was terrific.

Did anyone notice Roughead struggling a bit with his fitness?

I think we're going to see Roughead puffing when he plays against the experienced players like Brown and Riewoldt who have many preseasons under their belts, and are very adept at keeping defenders moving and on their toes.

The good forwards don't get their space when the ball eventually comes their way, they get it a few subtle steps before that time meaning their opponents have to put in a lot of effort to keep with them once it looks like the ball is coming into their area of influence. The end result is one knackered defender.

That's why Morris is so valuable. He's strong, smart and his acceleration is done with minimal physical cost on his body because he's naturally able to burst when required.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

I remember being laughed at for suggesting that Goodes would be a good pick tough has skills and time . What do you say now GVGjr .

In GVGjr's defence, one game doesn't make a season, nor a career. I hope for ours and Goodsey's sake he keeps it up. At this stage though still too early.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Lions by 53
BOG for us - Libba
First goal -Griff

Shit you are such a pessimist! by the way i think i saw you today, were you on level 2? Was going to introduce myself and say hi but wasn't 100% sure it was you.
Plus I am legally blind (not joking) so could have easily made the totally wrong call. Just thought you looked a bit familiar from the few photos you have uploaded on woof in the past.

Dont you think B mac is on the right track though? For me it was really the kids that got us across the line today..and as the season goes on they will tire, and we will fall away. I still think we are 3/4 years away from having a real crack again. But you gotta admire the selflessness in his approach, if we have two more shit years he could easily get the sack, but he seems unconcerned with that and is taking his time to build a team that , when their chance comes again, might actually be able to go all the way this time. just my two cents worth.

ok, cheers Andrew.

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

I remember being laughed at for suggesting that Goodes would be a good pick tough has skills and time . What do you say now GVGjr .

Was that me who scoffed at the suggestion? He's made every post a winner during the pre-season and I think the recruiters and the club should be given a slap on the back for picking him.

I saw him a number of times at the VFL but he didn't have the right sort of build to make a go at it. No such problems now though.

[dog town]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

The most impressive part of our performance was the work around the contest. We won the ball in contested situations and used handball to get into a position where we could actually use the ball well. We have 6 or 7 guys who are really good by hand in close and it is starting to show. We seemed to be using a really consistent method around the contest. Guys come in to support at the back of the contest then we fire out first option handballs. Its the sort of thing that will hold up under pressure in big games. Hopefully we can maintain it.

Bigger tests await. I thought Brisbane were awful to be honest. It certainly helps us dominating the centre clearances. It allowed us to dictate the game. I don't think we will get that every week.

[GVGjr]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Bigger tests await. I thought Brisbane were awful to be honest. It certainly helps us dominating the centre clearances. It allowed us to dictate the game. I don't think we will get that every week.

Excellent points and yes sterner tests await us.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

One thing that caught my eye was Cooney at one stage of the game got a brilliant Shepard to give him time and space to use the ball. Not sure of the player but it may have been Stevens or of that build.

If we can do this for our ball users it will improve our disposal efficiency.

[SonofScray]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

One thing that caught my eye was Cooney at one stage of the game got a brilliant Shepard to give him time and space to use the ball. Not sure of the player but it may have been Stevens or of that build.

If we can do this for our ball users it will improve our disposal efficiency.

Almost certain it was Lower, who made a few physical plays like this in support of his more highly fancied team mates. They were considered, deliberate efforts which was really striking. That aspect of our game has been lacking in recent years, after an initial nasty spurt under Rocket at least.

Great team play, sacrificing your opportunity to get the footy in favour of a more skilled player getting time to execute. Percentage play.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

I'm going to ask the elephant in the room question. Will Boyd's return be a help or hindrance to the playing style and team structure from today? Our ball use was slick and skilful today - will it be as effective with Boydy getting it 40 times?

This is a very good question. It's one thing to ASK the 'elephant in the room' question.

It's a totally different thing answering it.

I'm scared to answer it, lets just say that.

[BornInDroopSt'54]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Did anyone see Laurie Sandilands drop kick goal in the shoot out?

I'd like to see that! A drop kick goal on the run is a thing of magnificence that's gone from the game. It could even make the ungainly but honest Sandilands look good. Great to know he's a survivor.