Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

[whythelongface]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

On a side note, how awefull was the commentary team?

Frawley and Dunstall should never be allowed in a box together. Campbell his usual hideous annoying self. Then to rub it in an elongated interview with Wayne Campbell that went on and on interspersed with Frawley's self indulgence of their heyday (what heyday?) whilst the play was in progress. Even my mild mannered Mrs asked "who are these idiots babbling on"!!

Absolutely disgraceful. It was like listening to a conversation at the pub. I had to turn the sound down as I just could not handle it.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

I've said it before, but it looks like Dickson plays with an invisible bungy cord tied to his waist and anchored to the goal line. The further from goal he travels the slower he looks, not just in his movement but also his decision making. Dickson, along with Goodes and Young are not in our best 22. Worried about Picken too.

[Axe Man]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

It's unfortunate that we have 3 players (Goodes, Young, Picken) who have put in 2 poor weeks and all are small/medium backs - an area we're light on.

I hope we give Darley and Fuller an opportunity against Carlton because there should be positions up for grabs in the backline due to the disappointing performances of those 3 players thus far.

[always right]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Was really impressed with our tackling last night however there were occasions where we missed a crucial tackle that allowed them to open us up. I recall that on at least two occasions Johnson was able to get past the bulldogs tackling player running out of defence which meant he was then able to hit targets without any pressure. Have a feeling it was McCrae who missed the tackles. He's already improved a heap but will need to address this as he is too easy to get past. Expect this to happen as he continues to get stronger. Also need to work on his pace off the mark.

[whythelongface]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Thought we performed quite well last night. Some real positives - MacRae, Stevens, Cooney, Wallis, Libba in particular. Our tackling and general pressure was good. Disappointed in our defence work from the kick-ins - significant improvement needs to be made in this area.

Overall some real optimism leading into the season and a finish between 9th and 12th is certainly on the cards.

[always right]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

I hope we give Darley and Fuller an opportunity against Carlton because there should be positions up for grabs in the backline due to the disappointing performances of those 3 players thus far.

We really lacked run out of defence last night which led to slow and laborious transition into our forwardline. Sneak peek of life after Murphy unless we can develop other runners. Was a little disappointed in JJ last night as he has the capability to be the heir apparent to Murphy in some respects. Talia and Young were both down last night, particularly Young so with Picken and Morris having to play purely negative roles it ws only when Higgins came on that we managed to get any sort of movement. We really missed Murphy's surgical runs through the middle.

[Maddog37]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Hopefully macca was keeping some ammunition dry for round one. We were opened up like a can of sardines too many times.

[always right]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Hopefully macca was keeping some ammunition dry for round one. We were opened up like a can of sardines too many times.

They were much quicker than us which is something the addition of Murphy, Griffin and Grant will help address.

[always right]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Two games in and no sign of Jones, Darley or Fuller. Any idea why?

[Bornadog]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

I've said it before, but it looks like Dickson plays with an invisible bungy cord tied to his waist and anchored to the goal line. The further from goal he travels the slower he looks, not just in his movement but also his decision making. Dickson, along with Goodes and Young are not in our best 22. Worried about Picken too.

Couldn't agree more.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Young has been extremely disappointing so far.

Improved dramitcally in the second half of last year and by all reports has had a cracking pre season.

He's clean hands, calmness and great decision making has completely alluded him so far this year.

[Mantis]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Young has been extremely disappointing so far.

Improved dramitcally in the second half of last year and by all reports has had a cracking pre season.

He's clean hands, calmness and great decision making has completely alluded him so far this year.

Agree with all of that, hopefully he is just a bit rusty and will come good as he gets more game time.

Ditto for Goodes who is also struggling.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Goodes showing why maybe he wasn't considered afl standard? Or just out of form?
Still think he reads the play a lot better than the young guys (defence wise), but needs to be sure of his skills and defensively or he's in trouble.

[Happy Days]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Just some extra thoughts;

Several of our backs can't guard space defensively. Talia in particular seems to have to play from behind at all times (not necessarily a bad thing, was made to look especially foolish by Ballantyne when trying to intercept on one occasion. Stringer behind the ball was stupid and only added to this sentiment, doesn't read the play as well up the other end and almost got himself killed a couple of times.

Please no more "Picken as a small defender".

Stevens was the real positive for mine. Despite a few patented 1-metre handballs to guys in worse spots, his disposal by foot looks much improved, and his hardness at the contest and sneaky good goal kicking ability have remained and even grown.

Cooney, McCrae and Hunter were awesome. Hunter across half forward last night instilled the confidence in me that we can leave Murphy on the back flank; he was in everything and was super clean when he had it.

Just on McCrae, was obviously great but some worrying signs re:workrate when we didn't have the ball. I'm willing to chalk it up to it being a pre season game but something to watch

Crameri is as good a set shot as I thought he was.

Sandilands was obviously the dominant player but it highlights that Campbell is very much a forward-ruckman who should only be in the middle to spell Will, and for no longer periods. Great hands though.

Higgins was fine. As Lemmon alluded to, the contest on the wing (also right in front of me) was a particular highlight, and dude hasn't played in forever.

Gia looks like Dahlhaus' dad now.

Our work in the centre square defensively was not where we left it last year. A lot of it was due to Sandilands' dominance but someone needed to get to he defensive side of Mundy, who also shredded us, when it was apparent that's where the ball was going every time.

All in all a lot of positives (sorry if this seems negative, I'm trying not to cover the same ground), but obviously some areas to work on.

[always right]

Re: Game Day NAB Challenge Match 2 - Western Bulldogs V Fremantle Etihad Stadium

Tend to disagree on Stevens re his handball. Almost the most pleasing aspect of his game last night was the absence of handballs placing blokes under pressure. Almost a complete game from him....at least for the first half.

Thought Sandilands toweled Will up in the second half after Will had done well to halftime......and I was pleasantly surprised by Campbell in a number of ruck contests where he outjumped Sandilands. Bit to work with there.