VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

[ReLoad]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

We had a great day at the VFL today, took my mum for a trip down memory lane.

The atmosphere was great, you could tell everyone was just so happy to be there.

The drunk guy at the Geelong road end who started the chants was awesome, just like old times.

The umps stank it up in the third, but we played a good game.

Cordy was great all day, jones last quarter was uber, I was happy with Tutt and Mitch got busy in the second half.

Grant is too inconsistent and should be traded/delisted, greenwood is far too slight. Jong is suicidal but doesn't have the skills.
Hunter was obviously carrying something and wasn't fit.

It was a good game against a good side. Even the train ride en masse to etihad was great.

[always right]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

Strong wind to the Geelong Rd end made it difficult to hit targets. WILLIAMSTOWN the best side for three and a half quarters but the dogs dug deep.

Cordy was hugely influential and almost single handedly got us back into the game in the third quarter. Jong was a battering ram all day and Goodes provided the polish. Really liked Talia's game...our best defender easily although Russell was also very good.

Big lift in the last by Tutty and Sweet Jesus....and what about Jones. Virtually unsighted for three quarters and really found it hard to read the ball when we were kicking with the wind. His last quarter was amazing.....taking half a dozen huge marks. Never saw that coming.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

Impressive win - halfway through the third we looked gone. They looked quicker, stronger and much more aggressive - we were getting hammered around the contest, were getting caught on the spread and butchered the ball a bit.

We kicked a few late in the third which changed the momentum. Williamstown came at us hard early in the last, but missed a few shots they should have got, and in the end we grinded them down before some great passages of play led to a couple of sealing goals.

Jones' last quarter was remarkable; he played like a white hot Nick Riewoldt. Work rate phenomenal, good ball use and of course some unbelievable marks - would like to know how many he took in the last. Felt like 7 or 8.

Jong was equally as good IMO. I've been critical in the past but his determination in the midfield helped swing the momentum in a big way. He threw his body into everything, won several hard balls, won a few clearances and made some absolutely critical tackles. He also took 2 or so really strong marks at pivotal stages.

Cordy was really good for the entire day too. Looks a different player - there might well be a future as a ruck after all.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

I called it 'Angry Ayce'. I've never seen him look angry and hit bodies as hard as hard as he can and try to hurt opponents. When he did this he looked great. I like this Ayce, if that's there next year then that's an immediate improvement.

[G-Mo77]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

What an enjoyable afternoon at the footy. I haven't enjoyed a game of footy like that for an awful long time. Great crowd as well. Does anyone know how many went through the gate?

[Mofra]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

The good:
Ayce BOG for mine - 3 goals playing predominately in the ruck is a good, good day for a bigman. Especially when he took marks and had some huge second efforts in contested situations.
Jong made a noticeable difference when he was in the middle.
Tutt earned his spot on the list for next year if there were any doubts, offers serious run & carry.
Honeychurch will be hated like Ballantyne by everyone except doggies fans, really has talent.
Darley gives us hope that we have a rebounder on the list, excellent disposal.
Jones - where did that come from?
Dickson - will be a different player if he gets through a pre-season. Smart forward.
Talia - I've been critical and yes he lost some one on ones, but he generally reads the ball well from behind the play.

The bad:
Grant - no intensity. I'm well off the wagon.
Greenwood - battler at best, did ok but not enough to be AFL level
Redpath - I still don't see it.
Pearce - another who is "ok" but we need to be ruthless this year. Darley has taken his position on the list for mine.
Goodes - played well, thanks for the service but not in future AFL plans. I'd contract him to play VFL in a heartbeat.

The scoreboard - can't the operators add up?

[Mofra]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

JHunter was quiet. Actually didn't see him much in the second half? Was he injured?
Amazing atmosphere today!

Yep - pointed to his foot at one of the breaks, saw him in the second half wearing runners and a jacket.
Darley rushed off at halftime, thought he might have got the call up to be a sub in the seniors. Thought he played well in the first half.

[Doc26]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

Jong was equally as good IMO. I've been critical in the past but his determination in the midfield helped swing the momentum in a big way. He threw his body into everything, won several hard balls, won a few clearances and made some absolutely critical tackles. He also took 2 or so really strong marks at pivotal stages.

Cordy was really good for the entire day too. Looks a different player - there might well be a future as a ruck after all.

Good point on Jong. His willingness and hardness really shone through around the stoppages. He is a fearless kamikaze.

Cordy's work rate has really lifted to the point that, at this level, he has become imposing and lifted the side through the four quarters.

I thought Russell was our most solid defender although Talia did compete well today.

As good as Liam's last quarter was, he stunk it up for the first three barely touching it. It seemed to make quite a difference in the last when he lead further up the field rather than playing too deep.

[G-Mo77]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

Some of Goodes' disposal by foot today in really tough conditions was outstanding. He may not make the grade as an AFL footballer but he's been terrific at this level for a very long time. If he gets delisted I sure hope we can keep him around.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

What an enjoyable afternoon at the footy. I haven't enjoyed a game of footy like that for an awful long time. Great crowd as well. Does anyone know how many went through the gate?

A conversation which looked to know something next to me said 6,000 - don't hold me to it though.

That was the most I've enjoyed a football game for many, many years too. Watching the merchandise, food and grog tick over hopefully led to a nice little profit too. Id love if they gave us the pre-lim, we'd book the joint out and be able to pay back Peter a little bit too with food & beverage sales. I think it's safe to say I will be going to every blockbuster and final at the WO from here on in.

I posted earlier this year that we should try to have our first WO VFL game (arvo) to align with our first AFL game (night) and do a pilgrimage to Etihad and break out the club legends. Today was pretty much the blueprint I was trying to get at. Turtle getting around, Dougie on the mic, good crowd to celebrate Footscray and then migrate to Etihad. An annual pilgrimage of the bulldog or some such. Hope we can get a regular thing going.

[LostDoggy]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

Thanks for all the updates and analysis. Sounds like a great day. Fantastic to hear Cordy turned it on. He was unlucky to get dropped this week.

Never saw the dogs play at WO. Looking forward to getting over to melb next year to see footscray in action.

[Eastdog]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

Didn't go along today as I had stuff on but sounds like it was a great day out at the Whitten Oval. Like BW I haven't witnessed the Dogs play there buy hopefully sometime when I have the time I should get out there and check it out.

[Bornadog]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

As good as Liam's last quarter was, he stunk it up for the first three barely touching it. It seemed to make quite a difference in the last when he lead further up the field rather than playing too deep.

The way the wind was blowing, playing deep was not the spot for any full forward. In the last Jones seemed to be roaming around further up the field and made a big difference. Honeychurch was fantastic especially in the last quarter.

Really had a fun afternoon.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

Yep - pointed to his foot at one of the breaks, saw him in the second half wearing runners and a jacket.
Darley rushed off at halftime, thought he might have got the call up to be a sub in the seniors. Thought he played well in the first half.

I was listening to the radio broadcast and Mark Stone said it looked like a thigh complaint. Not sure how accurate that was.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: VFL Qualifying Final - Footscray Bulldogs v Williamstown Seagulls

It was an enjoyable day.

I do agree with everyone on Cordy and felt he really stood up for the team all day.

Kamikaze Jong was also influential and the outstanding clearance player in the game.

Tutt was terrific and provided a lot of run. Unfortunately we didn't use him a couple of times when he created the space into the wind. When we finally did in the last he put a beautiful pass to Dickson for a goal.

Some criticism of Grant, but I thought he went well particularly early and showed a lot of smarts. Sometimes his thinking is too quick for those around him.

Honeychurch was also very good and Jones was sensational in the last.