Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

[ledge]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Frejiah has impressed me today could be a JJ replacement down the track. Mind you it was against kids so how much can you take out of the game.

He is just a kid as well ;-)

[Bigdog]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Clarke needs two more really solid performances back to back and he should get a call up. His doing a lot right at the moment at vfl level. Even though I still have concerns regarding leg speed and fitness.

Gardiner deserves some credit - every role he is asked to do he is acquitting himself really well at.

Keath is looking much better than last year. Footskills look better.

A.jones probably wasn?t as polished as he?d like. But things happen when he gets the footy. Thought he got better as the game wore on.

I loved Bendendo when he started, but think his been invisible the start of the season. Doesn?t impose himself on games. Only way I see him making it is if he plays behind the footy and the ball comes to him.

McNeil - didn?t notice.

Poulter - linked up week and actually used his size. He has had a good start to the year at vfl level.

Baker - Good game probably one of the best. Still don?t trust him at afl level. To inconsistent with footy in hand.

Croft - looks like an exciting project player. Does some nice things. I wonder if we can develop him similar to a Nick Blakey given he has some wheels. Footskills need work though.

Frejah had another good game. Real solid defensively. He looks like a good prospect. Should debut this year. Haven?t worked out if he has leg speed though. If not - his game may not transition at the next level.

Cleary - His good every week. Clean with ball in hand and does job defensively. His a good vfl player. Needs a run of games at afl level.

Sanders - he was our best. Great vision and disposal. Won?t be at this level for long.

Smith - was solid in ruck. Has reasonable forward craft. Athletic profile worries me for the next level.

Think that?s all the listed players. Pretty clinical performance I thought. If the quarters went 20 plus time on it would?ve been a real demolition job.

The academy boys seemed to have a solid midfield, but no one really caught my eye.

I think we need to prioritise a small forward at the draft. One with elite leg speed and tackling pressure. If Clarke makes it he reminds me of a linking small forward like a Gryan Myers or Brent Daniels. Not a pressure forward.

[josie]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Nice summary Bigdog. To my eye Freniah looks pretty quick.

I also liked Cleary?s game. Going to be tough for him to break into seniors though. A really reliable, consistent player and I?m guessing his disposal count and tackles and pressure acts are up this year.

[jDogs]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Frejiah has impressed me today could be a JJ replacement down the track.

I would much rather he develops on the wing.

[The Doctor]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Good win by 55 points by Footscray today. The Academy boys acquitted themselves quite well. But the bigger, stronger and more experienced Doggies finished them off well today.

1st Quarter

Was an arm wrestle for the first 6-7 minutes the Dogs kicked the opening 2 goals through Clarke and Footscray player Crofts. Baker, Pouter and Freijah dominant in the early exchanges. Then the Academy boys gained the upper hand but didn't capitalise enough. Spicer began dominating to score 1 goal and assist in another to finish off the term.

QT Footscray 4.2.26 lead Academy 1.3.9

Dogs again dominating early in the 2nd to race out to a 35 point lead after goals to Smith, Stretton and Clarke. Lachie Smith imposing himself this term as a key forward and booted 2. Academy rally and kick 3 of the last 4 goals for the term. They are playing well. I have Spicer best on to HT narrowly from Poulter.

HT Footscray 8.3.51 lead Academy 4.4.28

The 3rd term was relatively even with the dogs slightly increasing their lead. Dogs should have done better in attack. Spicer and Clarke fluffing their lines with silly errors. Dogs not helping themselves with stupid 50m penalties. Keath directing things behind the ball making it hard for the Academy.

3/4T Footscray 12.4.76 lead Academy 7.5.47

Dogs pulled away in the last with 4 goals to nil. They probably should have won by more but wasted a few chances. A good 4 quarter effort overall by the Scrays against a talented young opponent. Smillie looks like a no.1 pick to me. I like Lalor as a possible Dogs recruit. He's strong, robust, hits the scoreboard and can play in the centre square. I also liked Trainor as a key defender. He's big enough and takes strong marks. I'm giving best on to Poulter today for his dynamic drive and use of the ball.

FT Footscray 16.9.105 defeated Academy 7.8.50

What made me cranky (again) 3 x 50m penalties by Footscray today. 2 for dissent as far as I can tell. They have been doing this in every game so far. It will cost us if not rectified.


Player Summaries

Clarke- Kicked 3 but really SHOULD HAVE HAD 6. He would have been best on ground had he taken his opportunities. The ones he missed were easily kickable. He is a smart forward and what is pleasing is that his goal attempts all came in different ways. Lead and mark, snaps, a speccie etc

Sanders - our leading possession winner. he had a solid game and was opposed to either Ashcroft or Lalor. Really good early in the 2nd when we got on top. He plays most like Macrae but did get a couple of Libba style hard balls out to team mates. He will be awesome when he is stronger.

Busslinger - Among our best. You can see he is better than any of the Academy KP players. He is very good with the ball in hand and generally makes the right decisions concerning distribution.

Cleary - Was excellent early on at half back. He displayed some elusiveness and composure under pressure a few times to clear the ball from defence and hit targets upfield. He also brought the ball I50 a couple of time to maximum effect. I'd like to see him tried on the wing.

Freijah - Has AFL player written all over him. He takes on the difficult kicks and hits them. This cuts up defences. I love his drive and rebound from half back. Today in one instance he was out positioned in a one on one and Academy looked like they were in for a certain goal. Freijah incredibly made the spoil, crumbed it and took off and gave it to Spicer who hit Clarke for a gettable set shot. Itv was brilliant. He also drilled a fantastic 50m pass down the throat of Gardner I50. When he gets the ball things happen.

Keith and Gardner - 2 pro's playing against kids and did what you should expect. Gardner more effective up forward when he swapped positions with Croft. He kicked 3. My favourite play was when Keath intercepted in midfield and stormed forward like Rohan Smith and drilled it into Gardner who kicked it out of the stadium. I loved this! Even if it is against kids.

Artie: All I can say is that it was a typical Artie game. He flashed in and out. Some great defensive pressure and some nice use of the ball mixed with overrunning it and going missing. He can play.

Bedendo - I'm a fan but he tested my patience today. Seemed to be half a yard off the pace all day. Reactive rather than proactive. He did win a couple of hard contests to feed to Sanders that lead to goals. He started the season so brightly, then IMO was played out of position for a few weeks, but has lost his way now. He has the skill set. he needs to start using them again, soon.

McNeill - like Artie, a typical game. How do you kick the ball out of bounds when snapping from the top of the square? He just doesn't have it. Sorry.

L.Smith - best game I've seen from him so far at VFL level. Did well in the ruck and got a bit of it around the ground. When moved forward in the 2nd he responded with 2 goals. One of them from a terrific pack mark. Perhaps he thinks he is Rory Lobb?

Croft - Didn't do a lot but took a couple of nice marks today when he went to defence. Most unsighted up forward. He is a stick at the moment.

[Bornadog]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Smith named BOG

[The Doctor]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Smith named BOG

He was very good and in my bests. I went with Poulter

[josie]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Thanks Doc-another insightful summary. It?s interesting those that watched the game are largely in agreement; Frejiah is an AFL player, Cleary good, Clarke promising etc.

[mighty_west]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Liked Frejiah's game again, just has poise and composure with ball, he's my next cab off the rank for a debut with Clarke possibly not far behind, like Clarke but he does get quite a few "easy goals" similar i guess to Schache at VFL level which he won't have that luxury at AFL level, but would like to see what he has playing alongside Cody & West as he has that point of difference as a small forward.

Still not sure on McNeal, Arty or Bedendo, think all three are in the gun come the end of this season unless they really pull something out, one piece of play where Arty was running in with space and delivered to Gardy who was in a great position to take the grab right in front but the ball just fell short, wasn't a hard kick at all, gave the AIS defenders a chance and they did then clear the ball, that has to hit him lace out, Bedendo looks like he's in no mans land a lot of the time and i'm just not sure he works hard enough.

Think Busslinger could also be in with a sneaky chance to debut this year, looks more confident now with his body.

[Warrnambulldog]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

Arty has another year on his contract I am pretty sure. Classic us signing unproven guys for longer than needed.
Harmes for 3 years ffs, I don?t know what we were thinking

[Bullies]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

I am once again begging us to not pick up Spicer.

Hopefully they have learnt their lesson from Harmes. Spicer was dreadful at North.

[Bullies]

Re: Footscray Bulldogs vs National Academy Squad- Whitten Oval 27/4

I?d play Clarke soon. He has that thing about him where he looks like a gun at footy even if he doesn?t do a ton. Bailey Williams has it too.

Those in the know say he is the type of player who would play his best footy in the 1's. The better the grade the better he will be. Plenty of smarts and a great goal sense. Something we lack.