VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

[comrade]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

VFL ruck Jesse Glass McCasker actually played as our first ruck today. Got 38 hitouts.

Thought he was pretty good, though the Suns big man was pretty impressive too.

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

VFL ruck Jesse Glass McCasker actually played as our first ruck today. Got 38 hitouts.

Very mobile too

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

VFL Report | ‘Scray sink Suns in super start

An impressive five-goal haul from key forward Josh Schache has led the Footscray Bulldogs to a 67-point win over the Gold Coast Suns, to kick off their 2021 VFL campaign at VU Whitten Oval on Saturday.

The Dogs held the lead for the entirety of the match after kicking the first five majors implementing a fast-paced, high-pressure game plan to unsettle the Suns.

Lin Jong (24 disposals, one goal) and Will Hayes (28 disposals, 11 marks) were dominant in the midfield, with the Bulldogs moving the ball swiftly through the corridor.

The intensity was elevated by the combination of Riley Garcia and Robbie McComb’s attack on the game, laying an incredible nine and seven tackles respectively to go with 24 disposals apiece.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan made his presence known within the opening minutes of the game, launching a long ball from the wing and watching it bounce through for one of his two goals, with Louis Butler and Reuben William also kicking two goals each.

The Bulldogs had opened up a 24-point lead at quarter time and extended their lead further at each change.

It was a well-rounded performance from the whole team, with 14 AFL-listed players in amongst a strong VFL side.

Lachie Sullivan collected 23 disposals in his first game as Footscray skipper.

The Bulldogs will hit the road for round two, taking on the GWS Giants in Blacktown on Thursday night.

FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGS 5.2 10.5 13.10 16.13 (109)
GOLD COAST 1.2 3.4 4.4 6.6 (42)


Goals
Footscray: Schache 5, Butler 2, Ugle-Hagan 2, William 2, Jong, Wallis, West, Glass-McCasker, Hannan.
Gold Coast: Murtagh 2, Harris 2, Brodie, Reeves.


Best
Footscray: Hayes, Jong, Garcia, Schache, McComb, Sullivan, West.

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

Round 2 v GWS Giants

Thursday, Apr 22, 7.10pm


Blacktown International Sportspark

[Happy Days]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

Game is going to be televised on Fox/Kayo

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

Game is going to be televised on Fox/Kayo

Kayo have some freebie games each week if you don't subscribe. Not sure if our match is one, need to check.

[Axe Man]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

VFL player summary: Round 1

Bulldogs’ development manager Jamie Maddocks reviews the performances of the 14 AFL-listed players who featured in Footscray’s season-opening win over Gold Coast.

Mitch Wallis

18 disposals, six marks, one goal

“‘Wally’ played mostly as a forward with a little bit of midfield time, which is a slightly different role to what he has played at AFL level. It shows how important having that versatility is, whether you’re new to VFL level or an established professional like Mitch. He brought a lot of leadership, and set-up his teammates well. It was good to get the ball back in his hands.”

Zaine Cordy

17 disposals (15 kicks), seven marks, seven spoils

“Zaine was strong in the contest all day - he was unbeaten aerially with seven spoils. The way he supports his teammates in the air and on the ground with hard tackles helps all the players around him set-up. His leadership really shone through.”

Josh Schache

19 disposals, 12 marks, five goals

“It was a sensational game from ‘Schach’. His work rate set everything up for him. He had nine shots on goal, and obviously had some shots he left out there, but his ability to get up the ground and get back, and just compete in the air and on the ground (was great). Even in his ruck-time he was physical, which was really impressive by ‘Schach’. He was our best.”

Rhylee West

22 disposals, five marks, four tackles, one goal

“Rhylee played a little bit of forward time but was mostly in the mid. He was damaging – his strength to fight at the source, and his source pressure as both a forward and a mid created scoring shots for us. It was great to see him use his legs at times to get away and find the gaps, and run away with the ball. He was impressive.”

Louis Butler

17 disposals, six marks, two goals

“Louis played mostly on the wing. His running ability to get back and outnumber, and also get ahead of it in front of the ball was a highlight. His ability to run at high speed and ball-use by foot was much improved, and to (see him) hit the scoreboard was great.”

Cody Weightman

11 disposals, five marks

“Cody started the game really well, but his pressure towards the mid part and back end of the game was really impressive. The way he communicates with his teammates to help us set up is a real positive, and the growth that he’s got in his game has come from there. He’s working on his aerial game at the moment, and trying to bring the ball down and compete for his teammates.”

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

11 disposals, three tackles, two goals

“It wasn’t Jamarra’s busiest day, but what he did for the team with blocks that people wouldn’t see, and holding his opponents out of contests while always keeping his feet and being strong in tackles – he probably did a lot more than what his stats suggest. The way that he works in tandem with Josh Schache really helped Josh to shine on the day. Sometimes it’s not going to be your day, but how you help your teammates is really important for key forwards, and he did a lot of grunt work for ‘Schach’ which is really good.”

Buku Khamis

21 disposals, 11 marks

“Buku ruled the airwaves for most of the day, as he does with his intercept marking. I love his speed on the ground at the moment taking players on. He went at 100% efficiency for the game, which is really another layer for him. The way he’s competing and growing every game is really special to watch.”

Dom Bedendo

Eight disposals, two marks

“It was good to see Dom play with a little bit of speed. A growth area for him is some defensive actions, and he’s going really well and doing his best. He just needs to keep making decisions with speed, and continue getting involved in the game.”

Mitch Hannan

Eight disposals, three marks, one goal

“Coming back from injury, Mitch was on limited game time. He does everything at speed, and his pressure in our front third was exceptional - as was his ability to bring his teammates into the game and keep his feet. He played on the wing for a lot of the day, and the patterns that he ran with his closing speed and multiple efforts – he contributed much more than his stats suggest.”

Will Hayes

29 disposals, 11 marks

“This was probably Will’s best game for us in the VFL as a high defender. His ability to run and get from contest-to-contest between the arcs was outstanding. He takes on feedback really well, and defended the best he has. His ball use was exceptional too.”

Roarke Smith

14 disposals, five marks

“Roarke played back in a familiar role. We needed him to play in defence, and he used the ball really well. He connected to Josh Schache on quite a few occasions with that hardest kick in football – crossing the arc. He had the most score assists in the game, and he looks great when the ball is in his hands. He’s a really reliable teammate when he defends.”

Riley Garcia

24 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances

“Riley played mostly inside and a little bit as a forward. He’s clean, he’s strong, and he’s able to break tackles and make opponents miss which we love. He had nine clearances for the game, and the game-high nine tackles. His pressure is outstanding, and it’s just great to see him get some minutes under his belt after those long-term injuries. He’s a great team player.”

Lin Jong

24 disposals, seven marks, four tackles, one goal

“‘Jongy’ played as an inside mid, and was probably more of an offensive game from him compared to his last few weeks where he’s had to do a lot of defensive work. He was really clean at ground level, was strong and powerful, and ran away with the ball from contests. He’s creative by hand to find his teammates, and we know what he can do aerially – he has a lot of courage. I love, from a mid perspective, that he’s hitting the scoreboard, which is something that he hasn’t always done.”

[Grantysghost]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

Buku in that's all I read

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

Great positive review of each players performance. We have some talent coming through.

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

All the goals from the VFL

[Topdog]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

I know Marra had a quiet day but gee he oozes class. That turn and spin for the 1st, some of the pickups and handballs were great too. His acceleration makes him a very difficult match up too.

[Grantysghost]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

I know Marra had a quiet day but gee he oozes class. That turn and spin for the 1st, some of the pickups and handballs were great too. His acceleration makes him a very difficult match up too.

Agree think he is a real point of difference to our current AFL forward setup.
Just needs to get the ks in the legs.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

Great positive review of each players performance. We have some talent coming through.

I would say it is probably the most comprehensive report on the listed players I have seen them put up.

Great to see.

[Rocket Science]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

VFL player summary: Round 1

Cody Weightman

11 disposals, five marks

“Cody started the game really well, but his pressure towards the mid part and back end of the game was really impressive. The way he communicates with his teammates to help us set up is a real positive, and the growth that he’s got in his game has come from there. He’s working on his aerial game at the moment, and trying to bring the ball down and compete for his teammates.”

Wut.

[soupman]

Re: VFL Fixture 2021 and Game Day Thread

Credit to the club that article is exactly what I have (literally) been asking them for.