Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

[Raw Toast]

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.

Agreed - some will always miss (and Brisbane was diabolical in this area), and Higgins had a superb game. If he starts kicking those, then the rest of the comp needs to beware, but it's going to be much harder to find space against Freo!

[boydogs]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

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

I'm sure being afforded more space and time will help, but I can still see him going for too much. He loves the old John Platten to Jason Dunstall spear kick that doesn't get 3 foot off the ground, but he rarely gets it right.

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.

I think to some extent that's the nature of the zone.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Agreed - some will always miss (and Brisbane was diabolical in this area), and Higgins had a superb game. If he starts kicking those, then the rest of the comp needs to beware, but it's going to be much harder to find space against Freo!

Well, especially since Ross Lyon has watched the tape of our game 10 times already. Griff can expect a hard tag, as can Luke. But it will be interesting, as we can return fire now with a few options of our own.

[whythelongface]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

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.

Great write up RT.

This is an interesting point and is what Geelong do really well. They did this (at times) against Hawthorn on the weekend which made them go down the wings. Obviously something McCartney has learnt at his time at Geelong.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Great write ups guys.

I don't have much time to contribute meaningfully at the moment, but I'll touch on a few things.

* Wallis/Libba were enormous and are going to be extremely good footballers. We knew that already, but I truly think they can elevate themselves into the top bracket. Think Westy/Mitchell/Sewell types. Their ability to win the ball from stoppages and feed it out cleanly is very impressive. Libba is so damaging by mind and foot too, whilst Wallis' defensive efforts were incredible.

* This was the first time under McCartney we played to a structure. It seems that last season was very basic: "win the contested ball". It certainly brought about some pain (and doubt) but what we saw on Saturday was a very impressive team structure that put enormous pressure on Brisbane, continually causing them to either turn it over or kick to a contest. The way we set up defensively was a pleasure to watch, as was the way we moved the ball forward. We created space for one another and we lowered our eyes -- two things we've been terrible at for 2-3 years.

* Goodes and Lower were phenomenal, but I also really liked the games of Young and Stevens. Together, these four added a lot to the make-up of our side. Individually they did very well, but the way they gelled with the team was very important.

* We looked dangerous up forward. Murphy was fantastic -- undoubtedly one of the best mid forwards in the game. His constant unpredictable movement patterns helped Jones and Cordy to get on their bikes. Coupled with Gia moving freely, Dickson/Dahl applying a heap of pressure and Higgins close to BOG, we functioned very very well. Just on Higgins, it's the best I have seen him move since his first year or two. He covered the ground very well, had that initial burst of speed, tackled well and used the ball very well. It reminded me why he was my favourite player a few years back.

I think Fremantle is going to be a stern test, and one that I think could possibly 'bring us back to reality', but it'll be interesting to see how we handle it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

we saw a team playing to the Club's identity.

This. As soon as I read those words, I knew it summed up exactly my thoughts on the game.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

I'm sure being afforded more space and time will help, but I can still see him going for too much. He loves the old John Platten to Jason Dunstall spear kick that doesn't get 3 foot off the ground, but he rarely gets it right.

Or Terd Whitten Jr to Kelvin Templeton.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Or Terd Whitten Jr to Kelvin Templeton.

Really calling Ted Jr and Terd is a bit much.

[Twodogs]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Or Terd Whitten Jr to Kelvin Templeton.

Really calling Ted Jr and Terd is a bit much.

I cant believe I did that.

[F'scary]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

Or Terd Whitten Jr to Kelvin Templeton.

I had not realised Whitten Jnr had a Scandinavian name.

Also, I think I saw one of those in IKEA.

[Hotdog60]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

I had not realised Whitten Jnr had a Scandinavian name.

Also, I think I saw one of those in IKEA.

What's a robot doing in Ikea, a allen key could be dangerous.

[F'scary]

Re: Game Day - R1 Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions

What's a robot doing in Ikea, a allen key could be dangerous.

I was considering buying a Terd.