Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

[Rocco Jones]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

If Markovic or Williams were to get injured tomorrow, who comes into the team vs Hawthorn, Lake or Mulligan based on form?
I mean the obvious answer from an experience and capability perspective is Lake but is he mentally ready to play on Roughead or Franklin?

Depends on which one gets injured. I don't think Markovic and Mulligan can play in the same side. As GVG mentioned, he doesn't win much of the ball. Having him in the same side as Markovic would be terrible for our rebound out of defence.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

Thanks for the reports, much appreciated.

[Mofra]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

Cheers for the reports.

Roughy's injury, whilst sad, could be teh making of Cordy. He has a good head on his shoulders by all accounts to give him plenty fo responsibility for the next couple of months and hope he responds.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

If something was to happen to Williams or Markovic id bring Lake in no way is Mulligan ready for AFL.
I think Lake will be much better when he is back to AFL some players just perform on the big stage.

[Ghost Dog]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

Pickenitup - it's an issue isn't it? on one hand you feel Lake won't really focus unless he's on the big stage. But can we afford to let him in, if ego comes before team?

[Hot_Doggies]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

Dahlhaus might play for Dogs next week, given Roughys long term injury.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

Asylum - yes good points
I saw some vision of Lake in the backline last night on TV. Even in that short clip, got a sense of what you are on about.
So, would you say that for a certain player, going into the VFL is a waste of time?
I'm not sure what else to do, but for a certain type, languishing in the VFL is just going to affect their confidence and cause issues. Maybe it's better to bring it to a head sooner or later. I'm afraid Brian already probably has thoughts of another club on his mind, because that's the sulking mentality.

I remember Buckley going back and playing seconds for Collingwood. It just comes down to what the individual wants to get out of it. Its a means to an end. Unfortunately some players think they are to good for that which is ridiculous. It just about getting some fitness and touch. Brian seems to look at it as some form of punishment.

I have to say though the club is sending a mixed message with Adam getting fitness and touch in the seniors but Lake is made to play seconds.

It is a catch22 for Brian though because if he doesn't show something in the seconds or at-least a major improvement on the training track he will be stuck in limbo.

From a club perspective I hope they stay strong on this. They should demand nothing but the best from Brian. He is after all a senior player who is possibly our highest paid. The other point though is we need to be consistent. No favorites.

I think strong clubs have no problem with this. Players need to be professional and as long as the club is up front and consistent then they should not sulk and if they want to leave because of it then maybe they never really gave the club there full commitment anyway.

[comrade]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

I have to say though the club is sending a mixed message with Adam getting fitness and touch in the seniors but Lake is made to play seconds.

This is my take as an outsider looking in.

It's been reported that Brian didn't even want to play at any level for a few weeks due to his reluctance to play through injury/pain. If he had a mini pre-season mid year, he really wouldn't be ready for probably another 10 weeks. Our season could be shot by then, especially without such a key player.

If you believe some people, his dedication to rehabilitation over the pre-season was less than stellar.

Adam Cooney was prepared to play through pain if it meant he could play a role for his team.

There doesn't seem to be mixed messages. Lake isn't prepared to play at AFL (or any) level until near 100% fit, Cooney is prepared to play whatever role is required. Eade said as much after last week's game.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

There doesn't seem to be mixed messages. Lake isn't prepared to play at AFL (or any) level until near 100% fit, Cooney is prepared to play whatever role is required. Eade said as much after last week's game.

It would seem that Rocket made a specific mention perhaps just to highlight to Lake that it is about what you can do for the team.

[comrade]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

It would seem that Rocket made a specific mention perhaps just to highlight to Lake that it is about what you can do for the team.

That's how I read it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

Sorry Comrade but this is just confusing? To clarify. Your saying Brian is not prepared to play at any level. Not sure why you would say that when he is playing VFL. Surely he would still play AFL if required. My understanding is they(Club) wanted him to play VFL until he is right to go for AFL. He did not want to play VFL and just do rehab until fully fit instead but the club was insistent he play VFL. Not sure he refused to play at the top level though. He was omitted after all.

Personally I would rather a player put his hand up and say they are not able to fully contribute due to there injuries than lie and say I am OK to play. Playing hurt doesn't always mean you are courageous. Putting your hand up and saying I am not right is also courageous in my book. No point being a player short during a game.

I think Brian would play hurt but when the options are play hurt in the VFL he would rather just train until fully fit.

The clubs insistence of him playing seconds is only justified if they believe his injuries are not going to improve and its just a fitness issue.

[comrade]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

Sorry Comrade but this is just confusing? To clarify. Your saying Brian is not prepared to play at any level. Not sure why you would say that when he is playing VFL. Surely he would still play AFL if required.

Reports suggest that Brian wanted about 4 weeks off to get fit. This would mean we wouldn't see him in a Bulldogs jumper for at least another 10 weeks so a program has been implemented that requires him to gain fitness via Williamstown.

Not sure he refused to play at the top level though. He was omitted after all.

He was omitted because he's unprepared to play at under 100% fitness. His intensity and dedication in the last 15 minutes of the Collingwood game was deplorable and indicative of his unwillingness to perform a role.

Personally I would rather a player put his hand up and say they are not able to fully contribute due to there injuries than lie and say I am OK to play. Playing hurt doesn't always mean you are courageous. Putting your hand up and saying I am not right is also courageous in my book. No point being a player short during a game.

All players have injuries. Most are mentally prepared to play through it and perform a role for the team. Morris, Murphy, Griffen and Cooney are just a few examples of this in recent times. Only Lake has put his hand up as not being prepared to do this, which isn't a great look particularly coming off what is reported as a less than stellar pre-season preparation.

I think Brian would play hurt but when the options are play hurt in the VFL he would rather just train until fully fit.

Doing this would mean he wouldn't be match fit for a long portion of our season.

The clubs insistence of him playing seconds is only justified if they believe his injuries are not going to improve and its just a fitness issue.

From all reports, this is the case.

[Dazza]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

Went yesterday. Thought Dalhous was very good. Has pace and a real desire for the contest.

Hill was also pretty good but had a few costly turnovers.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

All players have injuries. Most are mentally prepared to play through it and perform a role for the team. Morris, Murphy, Griffen and Cooney are just a few examples of this in recent times. Only Lake has put his hand up as not being prepared to do this, which isn't a great look particularly coming off what is reported as a less than stellar pre-season preparation.

I don't disagree with you, but Lake was one we were praising for playing finals last year under serious duress IIRC. He has a history of doing so, so I think it's unfair to suggest otherwise. He must think he's a fair way off at the moment which is a concern.

It's an interesting one, because we need him fit and at 100% in September. The issue being, if he can't play until the final third of the season, will we win enough games to get there?

Not sure where the suggestion Lake hasn't taken the right approach to his training has come from either. I know Akermanis mentioned it, but he had a lot of surgery all over (upper and lower body) and was probably very limited with what he could do for some time.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Williamstown Round 8 Vs Collingwood

I don't disagree with you, but Lake was one we were praising for playing finals last year under serious duress IIRC. He has a history of doing so, so I think it's unfair to suggest otherwise. He must think he's a fair way off at the moment which is a concern.

This.

I'm a little tired of the media and supporters bashing Lake for not 'taking it on the chin' and pushing on. He's played injured over the last two seasons, and still was able to put on a clinic. It's unfair to hint that he isn't mentally tough, or that he's selfish. He might just be sick of feeling sore, waking up unable to walk/move etc.

Plus, he's got a life (and family?) to think about AFTER football. Running your body into the ground is great for the club and supporters, but what about yourself ten or twenty years down the track?

I hold nothing against Brian.