The NAB Challenge

[Moonshadow 17,677]

Watched the Bris vs St K game and while there were a lot of basic rusty errors, I've got to say that I like the look of Brisbane. The inclusion of Beams and Christensen will be a big plus. McCartin led well and looks smooth.

Any thoughts on the other matches?

[Brayshaw Self 847]

Macrae and Bontempelli look unreal

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Macrae and Bontempelli look unreal

Agreed, although to me they still have the same problems for the time being - a genuine threat up forward (Boyd is still raw) and good key backmen. Their midfield is class but their spine still needs plenty of work.

Good on them for playing at Whitten Oval today, although they celebrated a win against half a Tigers side with a little more gusto than what's needed at a NAB Cup game.

[hardtack 10,627]

Lin Jong is going to be a good player for the Doggies.

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

Watched both games. Brisbane will be pushing for finals this year. Should have blown the game open but were very sloppy in front of goal. They controlled majority of the game.

Mcrea and Bontempelli will be star of the game in the near future. Lewis Taylor will be right up there aswell.

[Moonshadow 17,677]

Lewis Taylor looks fantastic.

[Gorgoroth 13,023]

Bona is going to be a star.

I didn't see the saints game.

Richmond didn't have much of a side in today.

[DemonOX 8,801]

I'd like to know why in the Bulldogs v Tigers game the bullies colours were red and blue where they show the score on fox?

Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't they our colours

[1964nowMORE 492]

Couple of other clubs joined our ACL bad news, Mckenzie a huge loss for WCE as would Libba be for the Doggies, no matter how good Macrae and Bonts are. Beams looks very good still, really pleased he's not at Collingwood.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Couple of other clubs joined our ACL bad news, Mckenzie a huge loss for WCE as would Libba be for the Doggies, no matter how good Macrae and Bonts are. Beams looks very good still, really pleased he's not at Collingwood.

Bloody knee injuries. Wouldn't wish them on my most hated player. Libba going down for the year is just terrible news, fingers crossed he can come back strong in 2015.

With those two injuries and Jack Billings doing his hammy today as well I'll just be hoping we get through Thursday's game unscathed.

[DeeSpencer 26,083]

Watched both games. Brisbane will be pushing for finals this year. Should have blown the game open but were very sloppy in front of goal. They controlled majority of the game.

Mcrea and Bontempelli will be star of the game in the near future. Lewis Taylor will be right up there aswell.

The problem for Brisbane is without Hanley they probably need Rich at half back and the majority of Beams, Rockliff, Christensen (if he's not injured) Redden, Aish, Taylor, Zorko, Mitch Robertson etc in the midfield so for the time being will be sloppy in front of goal where they are really Josh Green and a bunch of talls under 21.

It might take a couple of years to really round out the midfield depth as well as having the tall forwards develop. If/when that happens they can have the luxury of Rockliff, Taylor and Zorko spending time deep.

They'll win games this year if they get on top and establish their running fast moving style. They'll lose if teams control the pace of the game. I do love the way they play though and wish we could develop midfield talent and ball movement like they have.

[whatwhat say what 22,948]

brisbane are good to watch because they take the game on. but it won't help them win games as you say, because teams that control the pace of the game tend to do that. it's no surprise that roos is trying to implement a more controlled style of play for us.

based on what i saw, carlton have no midfield depth, and a lack of big bodies. west coast looked sloppy, but man i wish we had schuey or gaff; they would cut it up on the g.

footscray were robbed to lose libba, but bont and stringer and macrae are great and exciting young players - boyd is going to take time but if he's lucky with injury could be a player. tigers look very scrappy and similar to carlton without cotchin, deledio and martin there doesn't appear much midfield depth.

collingwood has nab challenge specialists now in jesse white and patrick karnezis, while hawthorn have another ripper in jed anderson.

[DeeSpencer 26,083]

brisbane are good to watch because they take the game on. but it won't help them win games as you say, because teams that control the pace of the game tend to do that. it's no surprise that roos is trying to implement a more controlled style of play for us.

based on what i saw, carlton have no midfield depth, and a lack of big bodies. west coast looked sloppy, but man i wish we had schuey or gaff; they would cut it up on the g.

footscray were robbed to lose libba, but bont and stringer and macrae are great and exciting young players - boyd is going to take time but if he's lucky with injury could be a player. tigers look very scrappy and similar to carlton without cotchin, deledio and martin there doesn't appear much midfield depth.

collingwood has nab challenge specialists now in jesse white and patrick karnezis, while hawthorn have another ripper in jed anderson.

Richmond were missing Brandon Ellis as well. Miles played and was good. But after that top 5 (Cochin, Martin, Deledio plus the aforementioned) their midfield depth just becomes a bunch of battlers - Grigg, Petterd, Conca etc. They put up an ok effort for missing probably more than 12 of their best 18 but I was disappointed they didn't seem to find anyone new of note. Lambert and Taylor Hunt are just more numbers to add to their pile of battlers I think. Chris Knights would be nice to have back and I do like Lennon their first pick last year. He seemed to be playing half back, similar to Salem for us. Like us they need more class from half back.

Agree with you on Shuey and Gaff. They would fit so perfectly in our midfield with guys like Jones, Viney, Tyson and Vince. Just chuck a few of the others in and we'd have a top 8 midfield! I guess we hope on someone from the Newton/Michie/Riley/Matt Jones/Toumpas back log steps up or we wait for Brayshaw/Petracca/Stretch.

[What 18,810]

wow, Liberatoe ACL.

If we cant finish above the Doggies we may as well pack it in.

[P-man 13,366]

Hammer blow for the Dogs if he's out for the year. With Boyd possibly playing more of a defensive role, their next most experienced midfielder this season would be Mitch Wallis with 56 games.

Hopefully he returns the same player.

[McQueen 17,867]

Nitpicking, but please amend to NAB 'Challenge.'

There is no cup to win.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,249]

Nitpicking, but please amend to NAB 'Challenge.'

There is no cup to win.

Well done Steve. Moonie has nits to spare.

[dazzledavey36 55,360]

This will be a massive blow for the dogs if he is out with an ACL. With him going down that leaves a huge gap in their midfield depth department. The doggies are my tip for the wooden spoon. While they just pipped home yesterday Richmond were still without Cotchin, Martin, Deledio, Reiwoldt, Rance and Ellis. 6 players that make a huge difference in that department.

Boyd will be a gun for them later down the track, but their backline is very shaky. They have Morris who is on his last kegs and Roughead who is very injury prone. The midfield is their strength. They have class and talent but really lacking the experience now.

I was gobsmacked with their recruiting in the national draft. While it was plainly obvious they needed key position players back and forward they went the complete opposite and drafted midgets. Oscar Mcdonald and Reece Mckenzie were right in front of their eyes yet they overlooked them surprisingly.

They picked up Joel Hamling as a delisted free agent and Jordan Kelly through the rookie draft which i personally think will be the 'Tom Gillies' selections.

They are in for a couple of years of pain.

Edited February 28, 2015 by dazzledavey36

[Machsy 2,858]

Don't discount Hamling, he could be something.

I think it'll click for him.

Dogs would love to still have Cross now.

[whatwhat say what 22,948]

Libba gone for the season, joining McKenzie from meth coke and our Petracca as players already certain to miss an entire campaign due to ACL tears.

[Sir Why You Little 37,134]

NAB Challenge scares the shite outa me

These games should not be on TV & Radio pumped up

They are PRACTISE GAMES. Coaches should be able to stop games and make adjustments etc

They should not be promoted as full tilt games.

AFL Greed ruins careers...

[Deestroy All 14,266]

NAB Challenge scares the shite outa me

These games should not be on TV & Radio pumped up

They are PRACTISE GAMES. Coaches should be able to stop games and make adjustments etc

They should not be promoted as full tilt games.

AFL Greed ruins careers...

I agree.

The AFL should also provide a time machine so when Beverage stopped the play he could send Libba back in time 2 minutes as to not do his knee.

[McQueen 17,867]

Viewing Geelong vs GSC.

No need to detail what I'm looking for from this game.

[biggestred 5,140]

Mitch clark sprinting flat out in a cats jumper makes me sick

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Viewing Geelong vs GSC.

No need to detail what I'm looking for from this game.

I'm already cracking the shits at the sound of his name.