Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

[azabob]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

How long did Jones spend in the ruck?

What were the clearance stats when he was?

Without having stats to back it up, from the naked eye I think the centre clearance stats were about even. But it did seem regardless who was in the ruck Richmond seemed to be able to clear the ball out of the middle with more ease than we did which was extremely frustrating that

1) we couldn't stop it and

2) our best player isn't fit enough to be in the middle when it counts.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

Without having stats to back it up, from the naked eye I think the centre clearance stats were about even. But it did seem regardless who was in the ruck Richmond seemed to be able to clear the ball out of the middle with more ease than we did which was extremely frustrating that

1) we couldn't stop it and

2) our best player isn't fit enough to be in the middle when it counts.

Centre clearances and clearances in general were about even. I think if you split the game into halves, Richmond would have won the clearances in the second half, particularly Cotchin.

[Mofra]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

How long did Jones spend in the ruck?

What were the clearance stats when he was?

To the naked eye it seemed like a 10%+ chop out for Minson.
Did you see the game?
What would your estimate be?

I don't see the sense in playing Jones in the middle personally - his tank is the one major part of his game that is holding him back, and making him run through the middle isn't playing to his strengths (and believe me, rucking is harder than it looks )

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

I don't think Tom has ever looked comfortable in defence (apart from one game on Buddy years ago). He has the look of a guy who knows he's going to get beaten one on one. Contrast that against his demeanor when he's gone forward and it's chalk and cheese. He really does look like a weight is lifted off when he can run and create in the forward line.

[1eyedog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

I don't think Tom has ever looked comfortable in defence (apart from one game on Buddy years ago). He has the look of a guy who knows he's going to get beaten one on one. Contrast that against his demeanor when he's gone forward and it's chalk and cheese. He really does look like a weight is lifted off when he can run and create in the forward line.

Agreed. That game on Buddy in Tassie all those years ago raised a lot of expectations which he has never been able to live up to, both because of injuries and his own limitations. I like him forward but I don't know if I can find a spot for him there.

[always right]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

I think Tom is fine in defence unless he's on the last line. His skills below his knees are quite poor as evidenced by two occasions on Saturday when he let the ball get away from him. He looks so much more comfortable in space where he can use his athleticism. Big challenge this week as he is likely to be on Patton or Giles who are both big units.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

I don't think Tom has ever looked comfortable in defence (apart from one game on Buddy years ago). He has the look of a guy who knows he's going to get beaten one on one. Contrast that against his demeanor when he's gone forward and it's chalk and cheese. He really does look like a weight is lifted off when he can run and create in the forward line.

One thing I hate about Tom in a one on one contest, he takes his eyes off the ball and watches his man. Lake never does that, eyes are always on the ball. Perhaps someone like Scarlett can point this out. But then again, Macca has not concentrated on teaching Tom defensive skills.

[Greystache]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

One thing I hate about Tom in a one on one contest, he takes his eyes off the ball and watches his man. Lake never does that, eyes are always on the ball. Perhaps someone like Scarlett can point this out. But then again, Macca has not concentrated on teaching Tom defensive skills.

He's been on the list 10 years, what were they teaching him before McCartney arrived?

BMac starting playing him as a forward in 2012 (mostly because he can't play in defence), did he get taught nothing in his first 8 years at the club? He'll be 28 this season, the time to be teaching him the basics of how to play football are long gone.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

In: Redpath, Young, Talia
Out: Williams, JJ, Roughy

Redpath has his limitations no doubt and I think he must only be selected based on matchups. This week i see him as our best option to play on Giles/Mummy when resting forward.
Talia goes to Patton and Morris takes Cameron.

Williams needs some confidence and touch in the VFL, The way Vickery and Griffiths out pointed him on several occasions I worry how he would fare against bigger and stronger players in Giles and Mumford.

JJ is just lacking confidence. Young would provide greater rebound at the moment and is much better defensively.

Would like to include Stevens if fit.. Just not entirely sure who makes way.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

Out: Roughead (injury), Johannisen (omitted)

In: Austin, Stevens

Roughead is the only obvious out with his shoulder. Austin has acquitted himself well when given the chance at AFL level and was named in the bests for Footscray on the weekend (admittedly I didn't see the game myself). It won't hurt Talia, Roberts and Redpath to continue honing their craft in the VFL, as I'm sure they'll get their opportunity in the next 8-10 weeks.

Whilst I think JJ improved against Richmond, it can't be doing his development any good to be getting 4 touches a game given he's played his best football as a running half-back. Let him rack up some touches at Footscray and regain some confidence. Assuming Koby Stevens is right to go, he makes his way back into the side.

I'm seeing calls for Griffen to be rested but I get the feeling his back injury isn't something that's going to be made any better or worse by playing or not (similar to Tom Hawkins last season). Griffen operating at 50% still demands the opposition's designated tagger thus freeing up guys like Macrae and Cooney. He stays.

[Mantis]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

To the naked eye it seemed like a 10%+ chop out for Minson.
Did you see the game?
What would your estimate be?

I don't see the sense in playing Jones in the middle personally - his tank is the one major part of his game that is holding him back, and making him run through the middle isn't playing to his strengths (and believe me, rucking is harder than it looks )

According to the stats Will's time on ground was 93%.. Over the course of 120min that means that Jones was rucking for just over 8min or 2min a qtr.. Unless Jones was getting absolutely hammered in the centre square and wasn't able to perform his forward function, which wasn't the case considering his strong finish then I would be looking for some ruck relief for Will, but I don't think we can justify it at present considering the alternative is getting more run into the team.

[Bornadog]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

He's been on the list 10 years, what were they teaching him before McCartney arrived?

BMac starting playing him as a forward in 2012 (mostly because he can't play in defence), did he get taught nothing in his first 8 years at the club? He'll be 28 this season, the time to be teaching him the basics of how to play football are long gone.

Ok, lets just say he hasn't played in defence for two years and hasn't been taught defense the Macca way.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

I don't think Tom has ever looked comfortable in defence (apart from one game on Buddy years ago). He has the look of a guy who knows he's going to get beaten one on one. Contrast that against his demeanor when he's gone forward and it's chalk and cheese. He really does look like a weight is lifted off when he can run and create in the forward line.

Bit hard on Williams there. I concede that he has often looked uncomfortable and I remember him getting lost playing on Adam Goodes in a final. However, he always performed very well on Travis Cloke and I recall him playing a terrific game against Carlton a couple of years back, when Dale Morris was missing.

[Greystache]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

Bit hard on Williams there. I concede that he has often looked uncomfortable and I remember him getting lost playing on Adam Goodes in a final. However, he always performed very well on Travis Cloke and I recall him playing a terrific game against Carlton a couple of years back, when Dale Morris was missing.

I've heard him gets raps for that game as an example of him being a proven key defender, assuming you mean 2011. Jarrad Waite went into the game with a groin injury, was subbed out halfway through the second quarter, and didn't play again that year. Williams played a mix of +1 defender, or on the 3rd string forward.

I remember him coughing up 4 first half goals against Carlton in 2009 so I assume you meant 2011.

I can't recall him playing on Travis Cloke, but I'll take your word for it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Match Committee - Round 4, Bulldogs vs GWS

Yeah I think the media jumped on after that match too which didn't help him. I like him forward but think he'll be persevered with down back while Roughie is out.