VFL Practise Matches

[Smads57]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

3qt Dogs 12.7 (Greene and Wally 2 each) Dons 7.6. Wally lifted his intensity and had a great qtr. Greene and Lipper took over from Dicko up fwd. Young, Roberts and NMM taking a lot of intercept marks. If Naughton has a rough trot then Young ready to step up. Boyd still not holding onto enough marks. Porter having a good game.

[Eastdog]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

Appreciate the updates Smads57.

Sounds like we are having a very good hitout today.

I'm guessing the players have numbers on as a few weeks ago at the family day in the intra club hit out it was a little more difficult making out everyone.

[Smads57]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

FT Dogs 14.7 (Wally another two goals and BOG in the end) Dons 11.15 - woeful last qtr by Dogs, Dons kicked themselves out of a win. Wind did come up last qtr favouring Dons, but Dogs just really sloppy with disposals which was really disappointing after the first 3 qtrs. Will write up a bit more info later.

[Twodogs]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

They had five more scoring shots. Thanks for the updates.

[Smads57]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

Ok, here are my thoughts after watching today's practice match...

Wally - as the game progressed he was the main contributor to the win (after Dicko's first half goals/effort). Would think Bevo (who was there) would have liked what he saw, particularly his impact on scoreboard (4 goals). From memory they were all set shots, so accuracy a plus.

Young - good contributor all day going for his marks when not blocked. Due to the lack of any real wind in first three qtrs, there was a lot of high marking attempts by both sides - was good to watch. Should be considered if Naughton has a run of outs in the senior side.

Roberts - predictable game for him at this level - able to judge the ball coming into the backline and took a number of intercept marks.

NMM - worked hard all day across half back with Young and Roberts. Better game than vs Geelong I thought

Roarke Smith - needs to realise his limitations. Tried to take players on a couple of times and doesn't seem to have the right game sense yet. Otherwise serviceable game across half back.

Biggs - quieter in second half, but still had a lot of the ball and was doing the things we would want to see in the seniors i.e. taking off from half back and carrying the ball. Some sloppy disposal at times, but overall a much stronger showing than GWS game.

(All four players mentioned above were guilty of some sloppy play in final qtr that led to Essendon having more than their fair share of shots on goal!)

Dickson - really strong game to half time - forgot how good he can be on the lead and continues to be a dead eye dick. Kicked 4.2 and gave another one off.

Porter - much better game this week than last week - was used more in the midfield (last week seemed to be used more as a small forward). Not afraid to scrap for the ball. Also not bad with his disposal (had thought I had read somewhere his disposal might need improvement).

Boyd - good first qtr, but then was only so so. Marking still hit and miss. Worked hard in ruck and presented at full forward, but just couldn't impact the game in that position.

Lipper - greater contributor this week playing midfield and forward. Can only get better

Greene - quiet first half and much better 3rd qtr (2 goals). Didn't see much of it in last qtr (like the rest of the Footscray fwds)

Schache - didn't play. Didn't appear to be 'hampered' in anyway when he passed me and I asked if he was ok

Lynch - I actually think a couple of the VFL players playing the same position (e.g. Hayes, young Sudanese boy - first name Rupert) are better options than him at present....just not hurting the opposition enough with his run off half back and not a great defender one on one. Can do better.

[Eastdog]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

Cheers Smads57.

Great summary.

You are WOOF's Bulldog VFL correspondent.

[Smads57]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

And from the Bulldogs website....

The Footscray Bulldogs impressed in their final practice match of 2018, securing a 10-point victory over the Bombers at VU Whitten Oval.
The Dogs got off to a fast start with four first half goals from Tory Dickson, leaving Essendon playing catch-up all day.
Midfielder Mitch Wallis was instrumental in the Dogs win, kicking four goals and gathering 29 disposals. While, Shane Biggs and Lewis Young dominated in defence, racking up 30 and 24 touches, respectively.
There were promising signs shown from first year player Cal Porter, kicking his first major score late in the third term, while Fergus Greene added to the goals tally with two in the same quarter.
Tom Boyd and Josh Patullo shared ruck duties, equalling 29 hit-outs between them. Boyd looked comfortable around the midfield, taking an important mark in the second term that resulted in a Wallis goal.
Footscray take on Sandringham in their Round 1 match at 2pm Saturday, April 7 at Trevor Barker Beach Oval.

[Smads57]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

And from the AFL website this afternoon...

TORY Dickson and Mitch Wallis have given the Western Bulldogs' match committee something to think about with starring performances in a VFL practice match win over Essendon on Saturday.
With both selected as emergencies for Sunday's clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium, Dickson kicked four goals in the first half, while Wallis finished off his good work in the midfield with three majors.
Dickson was rested in the second half and the premiership forward will be the match-day emergency for the game against the Eagles.
It was a different story for another emergency, Tom Boyd, as the high-priced big man struggled to get involved in the wide-open but error-ridden contest.
The 22-year-old looked devoid of confidence as he struggled with his timing in ruck contests, when attempting marks, and he failed to kick a goal.
He also received treatment on a knee concern at quarter time but appeared to play out the game without discomfort.
At one point in the third quarter, senior coach Luke Beveridge urged Boyd from his vantage point in the grandstand to be more proactive with getting himself back on the ground from the interchange bench.
Fellow key forward Josh Schache was rested from the hit-out after pulling up sore from training on Thursday, but the club expect him to be available for selection next week.
Axed premiership defender Shane Biggs was serviceable across half-back but let himself down by turning the ball over on several occasions.
For Essendon, smooth-moving forward Jayden Leverde took several strong marks and kicked a goal, while versatile big man Shaun McKernan was a physical presence and also kicked a goal.

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

We need Dickson in next week.

[Eastdog]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

We need Dickson in next week.

His goal sense and accuracy will help us.

[Remi Moses]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

I find it odd neither are in the side this week
Hope I’m wrong , but Bevo is trying to be to clever by half at the moment.
Let’s see how it pans out

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

I find it odd neither are in the side this week
Hope I’m wrong , but Bevo is trying to be to clever by half at the moment.
Let’s see how it pans out

No Bevo is trying to get them ready for AFL and it is working

[Remi Moses]

Re: VFL Practise Matches

No Bevo is trying to get them ready for AFL and it is working

Hope you’re right borna