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A chilly day at Whitten Oval but good conditions for footy.
Only 3 Bulldogs players featuring in the reserves - Stack, Shaw and Boumann.
I'm happy to say that Stack showed a lot more this week - played on a wing and was given freedom to just follow the ball. Ended up snagging 3 goals, including an absolute beauty where he skipped around 2 defenders, making them look like witches hats, and converting from about 40. The talent is undeniable - the weakness in his game is defensive pressure - when he doesn't have the ball he doesn't really know what to do and it causes him to fade out of the game and ultimately lose confidence. It seemed that his teammates were deliberately trying to find him in the midfield and he played much better because of it.
Shaw again battled hard and was used up forward as well as rucking. He's obviously down the pecking order as far as our ruck stocks go but I like his attitude and think he gives us some depth - he's got a developed body and would go alright if disaster struck and he needed to be elevated.
I might be overly positive when it comes to Boumann but I didn't see him get beaten all day in defence, other than giving away a tiggy touchwood free kick. He moved well and ran off half back nicely. I counted one shanked kick. He was moved forward late and didn't really have any impact but I'm glad they're giving him different roles. I really hope he plays senior Willy football all year and was only playing ressies on rotation.
The seniors featured the following Bulldogs - Roughead, Grant, Cordy, Welsh, Reid, Wight, O'Keefe, White, Lynch, Everitt, Tiller, Skipper - Harborw was named but didn't play, but he was there though. I left my teamsheet at the ground and feel like I've missed a player - someone will help out.
Welsh absolutely dominated the first quarter - taking numerous marks in the 50 and kicked multiple goals. He looked a class above (which he is), both on the lead and contested. He'll be a very handy inclusion in the coming weeks. I reckon he ended up with 5 or 6.
Grant took some time to work himself into the game but lit up the 3rd quarter where he kicked 3 goals in about 5 mins. 1 from a lead and mark from 40. 1 from a free kick from 50 and a snap after swooping on a groundball. He then took a contested pack mark from 3 deep in the last but missed then took a hard leading mark on the 50 and converted. Ended up with 4 and might not be far off a call up?
Lynch did some magic things but then went missing - same problem as always. He also had the fumbles at times but god he looks good when it clicks. Kicked a beauty, weaving through a couple of defenders and slotting it on the run. If he can work on his defensive pressure he could be our Davey or Cyril in the forward 50.
O'Keefe worked hard all game and dominated the last quarter, marking everything and kicking goals - probably ended up with 3 or 4. Also laid some nice tackles - I know Rocket is not a fan but he continues to look good on game day.
Everitt actually looked very good, taking some strong marks in defence and spoiling well. He also ran the lines nicely and went forward and took a ripper pack mark and goaled. He seemed pretty lively in the warm up, geeing up the boys and having some fun. So much potential, just needs to continue to work hard.
Tiller was good also, but he did try and switch the play a few times and shanked the kick which caused us some trouble. He spoiled strongly, but didn't play after 3 qtr time - hopefully no injury concern. Will be back in the 1s soon enough I'd imagine.
Reid won so much contested ball - an absolute extraction machine, but I wish his kicking was 10% better. Hopefully it will be by years end, because I think he has a role to play for Bulldogs in the next few years. Also loves to give it to the opposition and is very physical - helps that he's built like a brick outhouse.
Cordy didn't have a huge impact but did some nice things - took some strong leading marks and kicked a goal. One passage of play - he was on the wing and pinpointed a pass to a leading Grant, who kicked the goal. Cordy to Grant - oh, to dream.
Roughie hurt his shoulder - didn't come out after halftime. I spoke to his dad and said he'd just extended it, could've probably kept playing but why risk it. Should be right with some rest.
White battled hard, running off half back. Got caught a few times but good to see him back.
Wight got beaten a few times in the air by Josh Smith and I cringe whenever he has the ball - but he didn't make too many errors. Treading water unfortunately - would hate it if he kept Boumann out of the senior team to be honest.
Skipper wasn't as dominant this week but did work very hard, and snapped a nice goal.
Willy absolutely crushed North - ended up winning by close to 80 points. Good signs for the future.
Of note, I saw Brian with some decent facial growth, Easton Wood, Liam Jones, Josh Hill, and Mulligan watching. I also saw someone on a motorcycle down by the Elite Learning Centre that may have been Aker (thought I caught a glimpse of peroxide under the helmet).
Any questions, will try to answer them
Only 3 Bulldogs players featuring in the reserves - Stack, Shaw and Boumann.
I'm happy to say that Stack showed a lot more this week - played on a wing and was given freedom to just follow the ball. Ended up snagging 3 goals, including an absolute beauty where he skipped around 2 defenders, making them look like witches hats, and converting from about 40. The talent is undeniable - the weakness in his game is defensive pressure - when he doesn't have the ball he doesn't really know what to do and it causes him to fade out of the game and ultimately lose confidence. It seemed that his teammates were deliberately trying to find him in the midfield and he played much better because of it.
Shaw again battled hard and was used up forward as well as rucking. He's obviously down the pecking order as far as our ruck stocks go but I like his attitude and think he gives us some depth - he's got a developed body and would go alright if disaster struck and he needed to be elevated.
I might be overly positive when it comes to Boumann but I didn't see him get beaten all day in defence, other than giving away a tiggy touchwood free kick. He moved well and ran off half back nicely. I counted one shanked kick. He was moved forward late and didn't really have any impact but I'm glad they're giving him different roles. I really hope he plays senior Willy football all year and was only playing ressies on rotation.
The seniors featured the following Bulldogs - Roughead, Grant, Cordy, Welsh, Reid, Wight, O'Keefe, White, Lynch, Everitt, Tiller, Skipper - Harborw was named but didn't play, but he was there though. I left my teamsheet at the ground and feel like I've missed a player - someone will help out.
Welsh absolutely dominated the first quarter - taking numerous marks in the 50 and kicked multiple goals. He looked a class above (which he is), both on the lead and contested. He'll be a very handy inclusion in the coming weeks. I reckon he ended up with 5 or 6.
Grant took some time to work himself into the game but lit up the 3rd quarter where he kicked 3 goals in about 5 mins. 1 from a lead and mark from 40. 1 from a free kick from 50 and a snap after swooping on a groundball. He then took a contested pack mark from 3 deep in the last but missed then took a hard leading mark on the 50 and converted. Ended up with 4 and might not be far off a call up?
Lynch did some magic things but then went missing - same problem as always. He also had the fumbles at times but god he looks good when it clicks. Kicked a beauty, weaving through a couple of defenders and slotting it on the run. If he can work on his defensive pressure he could be our Davey or Cyril in the forward 50.
O'Keefe worked hard all game and dominated the last quarter, marking everything and kicking goals - probably ended up with 3 or 4. Also laid some nice tackles - I know Rocket is not a fan but he continues to look good on game day.
Everitt actually looked very good, taking some strong marks in defence and spoiling well. He also ran the lines nicely and went forward and took a ripper pack mark and goaled. He seemed pretty lively in the warm up, geeing up the boys and having some fun. So much potential, just needs to continue to work hard.
Tiller was good also, but he did try and switch the play a few times and shanked the kick which caused us some trouble. He spoiled strongly, but didn't play after 3 qtr time - hopefully no injury concern. Will be back in the 1s soon enough I'd imagine.
Reid won so much contested ball - an absolute extraction machine, but I wish his kicking was 10% better. Hopefully it will be by years end, because I think he has a role to play for Bulldogs in the next few years. Also loves to give it to the opposition and is very physical - helps that he's built like a brick outhouse.
Cordy didn't have a huge impact but did some nice things - took some strong leading marks and kicked a goal. One passage of play - he was on the wing and pinpointed a pass to a leading Grant, who kicked the goal. Cordy to Grant - oh, to dream.
Roughie hurt his shoulder - didn't come out after halftime. I spoke to his dad and said he'd just extended it, could've probably kept playing but why risk it. Should be right with some rest.
White battled hard, running off half back. Got caught a few times but good to see him back.
Wight got beaten a few times in the air by Josh Smith and I cringe whenever he has the ball - but he didn't make too many errors. Treading water unfortunately - would hate it if he kept Boumann out of the senior team to be honest.
Skipper wasn't as dominant this week but did work very hard, and snapped a nice goal.
Willy absolutely crushed North - ended up winning by close to 80 points. Good signs for the future.
Of note, I saw Brian with some decent facial growth, Easton Wood, Liam Jones, Josh Hill, and Mulligan watching. I also saw someone on a motorcycle down by the Elite Learning Centre that may have been Aker (thought I caught a glimpse of peroxide under the helmet).
Any questions, will try to answer them
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