Watching VFL

[Rusty12]

What does everyone watch for, during VFL games?
Hoping for a Scray win?
Watching the development of the current AFL squad?
Looking out for the next MSD or rookie?
Do you watch for big numbers, and dominating the VFL from the AFL squad?
Looking at how they perform different roles at the VFL level, what would be their role in the AFL team?

I see Duyrea's big numbers over the weekend, and although it doesn't hurt, I just don't care, as he will not have the ball that much in the AFL team.
How did he defend? Was he clean on loose balls? Was he taking and making AFL-level kicks?
Scott and Lennedey, good numbers, but at best, in the AFL team, they see some wing and half-forward, who performed better in those scenarios?

A player that catches my eye in that VFL team is Hargraves, he is a bit old, but what he does, and where he does, is all AFL level.
If he were in the Poulter role from the weekend, I can see him winning his contests and producing a similar performance at AFL level as at VFL.
He is a different level athlete to almost all of them out there.

[GVGjr]

It's a bit of everything for me.
A win - who doesn't wasn't a win
Form line - who has the form to support a promotion
Development of the youngsters - taking a longer term view.

[Hotdog60]

I'm in the same boat as Gary, also being in the Northerns states I can't enough Bulldogs viewing hence I stream VFL and now also watch VFLW with AFLW players playing games.

[Pleather Sole]

I hope to see all the players giving everything. I especially enjoy when the AFL listed guys are playing out of their skin. When the quality of the performance in the 2's goes up it generally-though not always-means a lift in the ones. It gives a real buzz when no-one is complacent and its a boon for club morale.

[Bulldog Joe]

I am looking for development in the younger guys and maturity from the more senior.

Anthony Scott has been good leading the way through the midfield.

Arty Jones is finally showing some aptitude to actually get the ball. I am encouraged by that.

Gardner and Duryea show mostly a steady hand although occasionally commit skill errors.

They are showing that could be dependable if needed at top level.

L Kennedy got more of it last week but I'm not convinced he takes that to AFL and looks a little slow.

Jaques is mostly composed but probably needs time.

I also like the look of Hargraves and agree he would be an immediate upgrade on Poulter if we took him mid-season.

[Rusty12]

Definately get caught up in trying to get a win, that is for sure.
Alos like watching the committed old heads, who are unlikley going to be AFL players, go to work.
CCP is a perfect example, such a good footballer, that circumstance and athletic profile, probably got in his way.

[Bornadog]

I have mentioned this before in the forum, I once sat next to Will MInson at a lunch and asked him how big is the quality difference between AFL and VFL. He said, take it this way, if he can get 30 disposals in the VFL then it is a huge gap.

Having said that, it is one of the only ways to judge if players have some sort of form, so I like to see how the younger players are developing. I also want a win, as any team representing the club, you want a win.

[BiteNibbleChomp]

I started going to the VFLW games last year almost unintentionally - it's free entry and I didn't have anything else on . All I'm ever "looking for" is an exciting game and hopefully a win.
This year we've been running a lot of the senior-listed girls through the comp, so I've been taking a notepad to games and later writing up my assessments of each player on the AFLW thread (does mean I mostly ignore the state players now, otherwise it'd be too much for me to keep track of). Mostly I'm just seeing who seems to be developing well (especially the new draftees), and any positional changes that might be in the works.
Comparing the stats in the state and national comps, I think, is a bit of a fools errand beyond that - last year Sydney and GWS fielded their AFLW sides, won nine of the ten games they played between them with a huge percentage, and then both finished bottom 4 in the AFLW season.

- BNC

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

For me living up in Qld, when I get the chance to view a VFL game online or on TV, its' really with an eye on looking at players I've not had the opportunity to see at Senior level yet (if they're AFL listed bulldog players) or identifying any standout Footscray players who look likely.

[Dogs 24/7]

We probably only get to a couple of VFL games but while we enjoy watching it but the truth be told it's more around to see which players might be in contention for a promotion into the seniors.
I don't like losing but I'm nowhere near as passionate about a Footscray loss compared to a Bulldogs loss.

[Eastdog]

With no AFL and VFL Bulldogs games this weekend will probably head down to the VFL on Sunday afternoon to watch Williamstown up against Geelong at Williamstown.

[Mofra]

With no AFL and VFL Bulldogs games this weekend will probably head down to the VFL on Sunday afternoon to watch Williamstown up against Geelong at Williamstown.

I bought a social membership for Williamstown this year. Always have a soft spot for them from the VFA days.

[Eastdog]

I bought a social membership for Williamstown this year. Always have a soft spot for them from the VFA days.

I'll be just a neutral observer but yeah we have big links of course with Willy as they were our VFL team before we got a stand alone Footscray VFL team. Hoping Willy gets the win!

[Eastdog]

A few photos I took at the VFL today between Williamstown and Geelong at DSV Stadium. Williamstown 10.14.74 defeat Geelong 6.12.48.

[doggies ftw]

I just watch for traits/attributes of the younger players to be completely honest.

I don’t really care for the stats, except to confirm/deny thoughts from the game, ie “felt like Arty was more productive than usual, will check what he ended up with”

I especially don’t really care for stats from a guy like Garcia for example, yeah he dominates VFL and 30 & 2 is a good game no matter what level you’re playing at but he comes into the AFL and plays exclusively small forward so it’s just not really relevant, what’s more relevant is his cleanliness around goal etc

also guys like McComb in previous years, Scott etc yeah we know they rack up big numbers in the 2s. Still not really relevant to how they’ll contribute in the AFL.

I think VFL is so far gone from AFL level now there’s not a huge amount to take from it tbh, hence it’s pretty clear these days the coaches value training output over VFL output . Yeah it’s nice to reward good VFL form but I don’t think it’s the deciding factor in whether you’re making the cut for the ones anymore. The structures and running patterns etc are just so far out of touch with AFL. I do think it makes a difference for some players when the quality of teammate is a completely different level too, especially outside players so I’m a big believer that some players will just never show much at the scrappy VFL level but don’t necessarily think that means they won’t perform at AFL level.

It’s just all about watching things like intensity, how a player uses the ball, their cleanliness etc skills that will transfer to afl level. Dont really care about winning but in saying that, ‘winning’ is a skill that players need to learn too and its nice to know who steps up in big moments whether it’s local footy or the top level. Theres definite benefits from winning - a better, happier full club culture, finals experience, and even just still having the VFL team playing when the AFL team is going deep in finals is a huge benefit