Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Matty may have been able to get a different perspective, watching the game for a change. With more mature players in the side who know how to make space, hope he lowers his eyes a bit.

Looking at the replay again last night, managing expectations is going to be an issue now ( the flip side of success ). Brisbane flattered us with their awful set shots. Think they were still hungover from their NAB cup celebrations. Glad they couldn't kick straight.

[whythelongface]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Was away over Easter so only watched the game last night. Overall I thought we were terrific and what was really evident is the style of play that we appear to be developing under McCartney, in particular the work around the clearances; the defensive pressure from all players; the hard running to space and the measured approach in delivering the football.

One could consider ourselves lucky that Brisbane missed some set shots early on in the game but in saying that we took complete advantage of this and were able to establish an early lead. We were also able to counter any comeback early on in the 2nd qtr and further increase our lead plus we ran the game out strongly after Brisbane scored three in a row late in the 3rd and early in the 4th.

One swallow does not a summer make, however there are plently of indications that our team is heading in the right direction. That was our best victory for a long time. The team would have gained a hell of a lot confidence from that win. What the team now needs to focus on is the ability to do this on a consistent basis. It will be interesting to see how we go against Fremantle.

[always right]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

I think this misrepresents things a bit. I don't anyone suggests that he isn't in the best 22. I heard some talk on SEN over the weekend indicating that we don't need Boyd to be the main man of the midfield instead we need him one of the main men in the midfield rotation.

It may get to a point where we don't need him to rack up 30 possessions a game as we develop the likes of Liberatore, Wallis and Smith further. Cross was very good on the weekend in what we would call a reduced role when compared to 2 or 3 years back.

You have to admire Cross. I never thought I'd say this but I feel entirely relaxed when he has the ball. His decision making has majorly improved over the last couple of years after he copped a bagging for a while there. Boyd needs to take a leaf out of Crossy's book, understand his limitations and adjust his game accordingly.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Matty may have been able to get a different perspective, watching the game for a change. With more presentable options in our forward line ( and half back, for a defensive kick back ) I hope he lowers his eyes a bit.

When he does he has a tendency to either kick it along the ground or try and over kick it.. It's been an issue for a while and becomes even more noticeable when he isn't there and we use the ball well.

Looking at the replay again last night, managing expectations is going to be an issue now ( the flip side of success ). Brisbane flattered us with their awful set shots. Think they were still hungover from their NAB cup celebrations. Glad they couldn't kick straight.

Even though we outplayed them in the 1st qtr, I think the I50's were 14-8, if Brisbane had taken their chances it may have been a different story. However we gained confidence and continued on our way.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

When he does he has a tendency to either kick it along the ground or try and over kick it.. It's been an issue for a while and becomes even more noticeable when he isn't there and we use the ball well.

Yeah that's exactly right, when he kicks in a relaxed style instead of trying to kick it extra hard, low or long, he hits the target.

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

When he does he has a tendency to either kick it along the ground or try and over kick it.. It's been an issue for a while and becomes even more noticeable when he isn't there and we use the ball well.

Realistically he does this maybe twice maybe three times a match out of his 40 disposals.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Realistically he does this maybe twice maybe three times a match out of his 40 disposals.

I think the point is, he should be trying to just lobe it up a little rather then trying to do something he can rarely do (like daisy cutters which more often then not dribble along the ground or miss the inteded target). He will be more effective if he can play within his limitations much like Cross or Morris for example.

[Greystache]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Realistically he does this maybe twice maybe three times a match out of his 40 disposals.

If he gets 40 disposals in a game, 20 are handballs (which generally are effective). 2 or 3 ridiculous kicks under no pressure hurt when combined with 5-10 kicks in contested situations that are at best 50-50. Boyd needs to make his uncontested possessions count and not let his ego hurt his output.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Perhaps a little too much concern for Boyd and his disposal efficiency.

Ball use was significantly better across the whole team and that was something McCartney had said would happen. Boyd's absence was not the reason. It was more about the team oriented method.

We gave a shepherd to the receiver creating space and provided movement to give options. Of course disposal improves in those conditions.

Why do posters not believe that Boyd can improve under the same circumstances ?

[Raw Toast]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Random thoughts masquerading as a match report:

*Biggest concerns coming into the season were the quality of our disposal, in particular kicking, and our forward-line. Cohesion of the back 6 was also a concern. These three aspects were among our greatest strengths on the day. Long may this continue, though Freo fills me with dread!

*Didn't notice it so much at the game, but look at the stats, and we kicked the ball a lot of time, almost 2-1, but used hand-balls nicely to set up space for kicks.

*Wallis is developing very nicely. Ability to get the ball out quickly is wonderful, and if they have a stat for intercepting opposition hand-passes, I reckon he'll be leading it by the end of the year.

*Wasn't as noticeable on the replay, but the most exciting moment of the game was in the third quarter when Cooney got the ball around half-back, had a quick glance around, then burned through a pack of Lions players. The buzz through the crowd was electric, and I suspect the thrill of it all caused some, um, bodily responses, among at least a few.

One of the reasons the Cooney of 2008 was so deadly was his burst - opposition players would sag away as soon as he got the ball because otherwise he'd be past them in a flash, and this meant he had the space to create. For most of the time since, he'd get the ball and look to get rid of it immediately, because he had lost his ability to burst. At the game I was looking for signs that it was back, and he showed it a few times.

There was a moment earlier in the 3rd quarter when he received the kick-in from a behind and just played on. The tv commentators canned him cause he didn't have options, but I was pleased, and commented at the time that it showed he had the belief back that he could use his legs to get him out of trouble if needs be. His set shot at the end of the 1st Q was also very strong, calm and confident.

*I loved the way all our defenders kept their eyes on the ball when it was coming in. On at least four occasions, they outmarked opponents by focussing on the flight of the ball rather than searching for a body and being outpositioned (as frequently occurred in the past with kicks that wobbled or fell unexpectedly short). Morris, Goodes, Picken and Roughead all did it. Maybe the influence of Scarlett?

*The cohesion of all groups was v impressive. Defenders worked as if they'd been playing together along time, the forwards worked hard to create decent space for each other, and the midfielders were very organised, and blocked well together.

*Minson was wonderful. In the US, they speak about the game being "too fast" for certain players, and then if they are lucky enough to develop, they speak of "the game slowing down for them". Minson played as if they game had really slowed down for him. His timing with marks was wonderful, and suddenly when he had the ball, he played as if he could see his options and had the time to choose the correct one. Now Brisbane gave us way too much latitude, but Minson's ability to choose the correct option, often in the form of a nice short pass, was most pleasing.

*The tackling was up a notch, particular the ability of players to hold on. Dickson was a beast with this, as was Griffen, while the forward pressure was generally v good.

*Speaking of forward pressure, I'm in the camp of people who rate Jones' game pretty highly. He could be much better, but both in the ways he continually crashed packs, and his second-efforts with pressure, were super important. He'll start holding a fair few of those marks one day, but played very maturely, created lots of space for others, and didn't drop his head when things went against him.

*Cordy was a very nice bonus. He's going to excel in a while once the ball hits the deck, he's not quite got his athleticism back with it, but you could see the signs. He knows where others are, and can get the ball to them with taps and deflections. He had a hunger for the game. And his mark against Merrett was wonderful.

Cordy did drop two sitters after that, but I mark those down to tiredness among other things. You could see last year that Dickson would get very fumbly towards the end of games as the fatigue got to him, and I think Cordy will be like that for awhile as well. Still, his tackle late in the game on Merrett was a statement of what Cordy might grow into.

*Indeed, the father-son trio will be a key factor in just how far the new group can go (with Hunter and possible others of course). Liberatore was pretty magnificent as well.

*Very mature game from Griffen - has developed the ability to accumulate as well as hurt opposition with his possessions. I was very pleased to see him kick the goal in the first quarter from the set shot - he minimalised his tendency to swing around (like an inverse Franklin) and kicked through the ball more than his chip-shots of last year which tended to miss. Griffen's attack on the ball was glorious, and helped set the standard.

*Dalhaus broke the game open - he's a marvellous terrier. Still could work on a few things (needs to remain front-n-square rather than hope the ball goes over the top, and spent the ball once before acceptances). Higgins was also superb, showed what he might become if his body remains ok, and I think BMac has made his attack on the ball into a strength.

But it does really frustrate me that both Higgins and Dalhaus continue to go for chest marks in semi-contested situations. Missed opportunities didn't matter in this game, but they will in others.

*Speaking of negatives, I think we're still going to pretty vulnerable on the spread if we don't bottle the ball up quickly. Our midfield pressure was a strength, but on those occassions when the Lions were able to work the ball free, the space really opened up for them. Of course, this was their strength over the preseason, but we're going to be sliced open if we let the pressure down just a notch, and probably by the better teams anyway.

That said, it was interesting listening to David King on the replay, and his points that we'd worked super hard during the off-season on preventing the switch, and managed to generally corral Brisbane into playing down the wings.

ps as I'm sure you already know, I do love that B Goodes!

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Great write up RT, enjoyed it.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

I retract my post then. Sorry Rem.

No problems Hairy. Agree with Jones running under the ball.
He has to eliminate that from his game. I was encouraged with some aspects of his game and very encouraged with Ayce( in particular that contested mark with Merrett).

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Great write up Toast.
It didn't matter much V Lions, but Jones and Higgins missed some very gettable goals. Against Freo, I hope we can ice those straight in front shots.

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Great write up RT, enjoyed it.

+1 thank you

[jeemak]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

No problems Hairy. Agree with Jones running under the ball.
He has to eliminate that from his game. I was encouraged with some aspects of his game and very encouraged with Ayce( in particular that contested mark with Merrett).

This was a specific are in which I was monitoring Jones, and I really did think that this week it was a case of the kicker plonking the ball behind him or too far in the air when they had capacity to drop it in front of him.

Some of the delivery killed him.