2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

[1eyedog]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

It wasn't particularly smart on his behalf, but I'd much rather be the club that gives away a free kick for standing up for your team mate than be the club that let it all unfold in front of you and be solely concerned with yourself.

Why didn't any player(s) calm Grant down/diffuse the situation? Lack of unity/team work - despite our differing views. Either way you look at it, nobody gave a stuff.

Given they had 3-on-1, you also would have thought we'd be able to find a loose Bulldogs player (or two) - but predictably we didn't.

Good post. This was probably the worst selling point for perspective players who may be looking at joining our club next year.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

I'm really gutted and disappointed. It seems as though nothing has changed and the "hope" given towards the end of last year has well and truly evaporated. We are playing an antiquated game plan, with one paced personnel.

[Mantis]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

I'm really gutted and disappointed. It seems as though nothing has changed and the "hope" given towards the end of last year has well and truly evaporated. We are playing an antiquated game plan, with one paced personnel.

This was frighteningly obvious last night.. we just got torched on the outside. I can only think of one player (JJ) outside the team who could any pace to our team which is scary in itself.. the fact that we have done very little to address this at recent drafts is mystifying.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Not going to state the obvious, so I'll focus on a particular incident.

Anyone see the moment when Grant started pushing/shoving with a Brisbane player whilst it was about 50-60m out from our goal? Grant and the Brisbane player went to ground wrestling, then two Lions players came in and supported their team mate. It was basically 3-on-1, with one of the Lions players on top of Grant, jumper punching him repeatedly. NOT ONE single, solitary Bulldogs player went in and helped. Not one. Plenty of players were around - hell, the play was IN our forward half. Not one player went and helped Grant.

It's close to the most pathetic and insipid incident I've seen from us. I don't care if we're 100 points up or 250 points down and winless for a decade, a situation like this should simply never happen.

It was the only time I got up out of my seat and yelled tonight.

I'm appalled by what I saw, or rather, what I didn't see.

Gutless.

YES!
But what got me even more wild was Brisbane STILL had more numbers than us when the ball was cleared out of the opposite pocket, WHILE they had extra guys beating on Grant!

[azabob]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Is it just me or is walking out of the ground a bit like walking out of church when you were a kid? It's the best time of the week because it's the longest possible time before you have to watch us play again!

Luckily for me I didn't go to church, but I get what you are saying.

[azabob]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

They have a huge advantage over us with their leg speed and athleticism. They beat us on the spread time and time again

Which you did point out in the pre-match and it came true. Time and time again they would run the ball out of defence in waves, then do a paging paddock style forward entry.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Once more it was one quarter of football that let us down. Brisbane only kicked 3 in the second half, but that 7 goal second quarter was the nail in our coffin. Macca has to address this issue and address it quickly as supporters are sick and tired of it.

[Sedat]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Remember that player from a few years ago who was fast, tough would run the lines for 20 metres and kick it 50 metres to a forward target lace out? Well that player is now our captain. How can he damage the opposition when he has 10 kicks in 2 weeks and has now simply become yet another inside ball winning mid who instinctively handballs laterally to stationery targets?

[Mantis]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Remember that player from a few years ago who was fast, tough would run the lines for 20 metres and kick it 50 metres to a forward target lace out? Well that player is now our captain. How can he damage the opposition when he has 10 kicks in 2 weeks and has now simply become yet another inside ball winning mid who instinctively handballs laterally to stationery targets?

Over the past 4 weeks Griff has had more tackles than kicks (39-37)... I know we want our captain to lead by example, but surely this 'donkey work' can be left to others and body willing Griff can get back to doing what he does best.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Excellent points Mantis and Sedat. 'Cracking In' mentality and application basically doesn't differentiate players skill sets.

[G-Mo77]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

I've never seen Griff as a captain. That's certainly not a shot at him, he's our best player but that doesn't mean he has to be captain.

[Ozza]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Remember that player from a few years ago who was fast, tough would run the lines for 20 metres and kick it 50 metres to a forward target lace out? Well that player is now our captain. How can he damage the opposition when he has 10 kicks in 2 weeks and has now simply become yet another inside ball winning mid who instinctively handballs laterally to stationery targets?

Dunno about a few years ago - he was doing it just last year.
His form/injury has arguably been the biggest impact on our overall form. Last season we had one of the best handful of players in the comp- this year he wouldn't be top 50. Need the real Griff back. Wouldn't mind seeing him play a genuine winger role.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Dunno about a few years ago - he was doing it just last year.
His form/injury has arguably been the biggest impact on our overall form. Last season we had one of the best handful of players in the comp- this year he wouldn't be top 50. Need the real Griff back. Wouldn't mind seeing him play a genuine winger role.

Exactly, it's only this season with Griffen being down on form.

[Sedat]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Exactly, it's only this season with Griffen being down on form.

GVGjr/Ozza, not questioning his outstanding form in the last 2 years but would be interested to see his metres gained stat in 2012 and 2013 compared to previous seasons. He was a clearance and contested ball animal the last 2 years - I would love to see a better balance of inside and outside from him so that he can really hurt the opposition and become less predictable to opposition taggers.
With Libba, Wallis and Boyd doing the 'donkey work', wouldn't it be fantastic to see Coons and Griff causing opposition headaches with their run and dare once again. They are still more than young and capable enough.

[Missing-Dog]

Re: 2014 Game Day Round 12 - Western Bulldogs V Brisbane Lions

Exactly, it's only this season with Griffen being down on form.

Coming off virtually no pre season. I'm prepared to cut him some slack but we should be compensating for his lack of fitness and conditioning by making the right decisions at the selection table.

Need to inject pacey, skilled footballers. Anyone know any?