Just my opinion....

[Bendigo Demon 115]

Traveled over to Ballarat on Saturday, enjoyable day. Lots of things to like about the Demons, even though the Doggies had heaps out. My biggest issue is that we still lack leaders apart from Nathan Jones. When the Doggies came back, our more experienced players like Jamar, Garland, Grimes, Dunn were deplorable. The Doggies had Boyd, Minson, Morris etc who really stood up for them although they did nothing for the first 3 1/4s. Jamar may have been off the ground by then, but I was on the other side of the ground to the bench. Garland especially was terrible. Stuffed up 2 critical contests and then gave away an incredibly stupid 50 metre penalty. His intensity always worries me for a backman. I thought there were more positives than negatives, but still some issues there. Lumumba was good, so was Tyson, Salem, can't see the criticism of Tommy Mac myself, thought he was good.

but, before we get too excited...

Got given some free tickets to the game in Bendigo between Collingwood and Carlton via my mate on the medical panel at Collingwood. Thought that the intensity of this game left the Demons vs Doggies game for dead. Very little space and time given to players when they had the ball, the whole day gave me the impression that the Demons are still a bit behind in intensity and physical pressure to these 2 teams, neither of whom seem to me to be Top 8 teams. Impressed by Gault & Sinclair for Collingwood, also De Goey. Carlton didn't seem to have improved much.

We seem to still have some way to go before we can compete with the better teams, but our new recruits all appear to be good enough to fill our glaring holes. Can anyone tell me what happen to VanDenBurg? Thought he was looking ok? I didn't see Brayshaw? Thought he was named to play?

[Moonshadow 17,678]

Vanders off early with what appeared to be concussion. Brayshaw played for Casey. Maybe this coming match against Ess?

[CBDees 3,167]

Traveled over to Ballarat on Saturday, enjoyable day. Lots of things to like about the Demons, even though the Doggies had heaps out. My biggest issue is that we still lack leaders apart from Nathan Jones. When the Doggies came back, our more experienced players like Jamar, Garland, Grimes, Dunn were deplorable. The Doggies had Boyd, Minson, Morris etc who really stood up for them although they did nothing for the first 3 1/4s. Jamar may have been off the ground by then, but I was on the other side of the ground to the bench. Garland especially was terrible. Stuffed up 2 critical contests and then gave away an incredibly stupid 50 metre penalty. His intensity always worries me for a backman. I thought there were more positives than negatives, but still some issues there. Lumumba was good, so was Tyson, Salem, can't see the criticism of Tommy Mac myself, thought he was good.

but, before we get too excited...

Got given some free tickets to the game in Bendigo between Collingwood and Carlton via my mate on the medical panel at Collingwood. Thought that the intensity of this game left the Demons vs Doggies game for dead. Very little space and time given to players when they had the ball, the whole day gave me the impression that the Demons are still a bit behind in intensity and physical pressure to these 2 teams, neither of whom seem to me to be Top 8 teams. Impressed by Gault & Sinclair for Collingwood, also De Goey. Carlton didn't seem to have improved much.

We seem to still have some way to go before we can compete with the better teams, but our new recruits all appear to be good enough to fill our glaring holes. Can anyone tell me what happen to VanDenBurg? Thought he was looking ok? I didn't see Brayshaw? Thought he was named to play?

Vandeberg was subbed off early due to a head clash. Brayshaw played for Casey against the Box Hill Hawks (who had 14 Hawthorn AFL players in their team) and was virtually BOG.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,522]

but, before we get too excited...

Got given some free tickets to the game in Bendigo between Collingwood and Carlton via my mate on the medical panel at Collingwood. Thought that the intensity of this game left the Demons vs Doggies game for dead. Very little space and time given to players when they had the ball, the whole day gave me the impression that the Demons are still a bit behind in intensity and physical pressure to these 2 teams, neither of whom seem to me to be Top 8 teams. Impressed by Gault & Sinclair for Collingwood, also De Goey. Carlton didn't seem to have improved much.

We seem to still have some way to go before we can compete with the better teams

I'd agree with elements of this post.

But at the end of the day, you can only play the game in front of you. The week before I think we matched, if not exceeded the intensity of one of the top teams in the comp in Freo.

[Bendigo Demon 115]

Thanks guys, I saw Vanders go off early, but wasn't sure what happened. Good to hear about Brayshaw. I know Roos has a record of not playing kids early, but would be nice to see Brayshaw against Essendon.

[McQueen 17,867]

I'd agree with elements of this post.

But at the end of the day, you can only play the game in front of you. The week before I think we matched, if not exceeded the intensity of one of the top teams in the comp in Freo.

Agreed.

The Vs Freo game was a tight, hard contest but without watching the Blues v Pies game I can't compare.

[Bendigo Demon 115]

Agreed.

The Vs Freo game was a tight, hard contest but without watching the Blues v Pies game I can't compare.

Guys, I totally agree, I'm not criticizing our guys, I just thought that being up close and personal at both games, I thought there was a lot more intensity at the Blues v Pies game.They are only practice matches, but it did stick out to me.

Edited March 16, 2015 by Bendigo Demon

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

I think you're right with your observations Bendigo Demon.

I've only watched the boys on TV over the past couple of weeks, my observations are:

The boys are looking better on attack and rebound - i really do think Toump and Salem with the right support will excel behind the ball. They'll make mistakes, but I reckon you'll accept mistakes (like getting caught with the ball) over not being able to play.

But I also noticed we drop away really quickly when our prime ball winners go missing. Unfortunetly we are going to have to rely on Michie, Bail, M jones, etc until our young boys come on (Toump, Petracca, Brayshaw)

I like what I see but a unfortuenlty a few more years before we are real contendars me thinks

All the new boys really add something - I like them all and Frosty, I like Frost, I think he'll replace Chip nicely

Edited March 16, 2015 by Unleash Hell

[Rod Grinter Riot Squad 5,654]

Thanks guys, I saw Vanders go off early, but wasn't sure what happened. Good to hear about Brayshaw. I know Roos has a record of not playing kids early, but would be nice to see Brayshaw against Essendon.

Roos not playing kids early is often quoted here but not really true, rather he only plays those that have earnt it. If I recall correct, JKH played round 1 last year after a very good preseason.

[DeeSpencer 26,091]

The Bulldogs intensity in the first half was absolutely zero. Probably only our effort against Essendon in 2013 comes close to intensity that low in any game I've ever seen.

So we didn't really have to step it up much to lead 8 goals to 1 in a half.

As the dogs came back we got caught napping. Maybe if the dogs brought more from the start of the game we could've dealt with it and still won pretty convincingly, but the lack of intensity then increase whilst we went the other way did seem to have an effect.

Essendon with the VFL replacements might not be quite AFL level and nothing replicates round 1 intensity either. So there's no real way of knowing if we have improved until the season starts. The Essendon game will provide some more evidence as to whether the first or second half against the Dogs was the true indication on how we will play.

With the Roos game plan so much does come down to how good our pressure is combined with how good our skills and effort with the ball is. A simple 2 way running plan that means we have to give everything to defend and then give it again to attack and have enough skills to pull it off.

[DeeZee 7,445]

The intensity of the Dees Freo game was a lot higher, but every game is different, and the Dogs were playing with low intensity in the first half and we made the most of it.....I take more out of the Freo game, but you can only play who is out there against you on the day.

[ILLDieADemon 804]

Can we just wait till the real stuff starts before we have another stupid opinion thread again??

Stop bursting my bubble people!!

I want to wait till 3rd quarter in round one before that happens.

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

Fair enough too Illdieademon

But this is an opinion based forum....

[Goodvibes 3,596]

Can we just wait till the real stuff starts before we have another stupid opinion thread again??

As opposed to all those carefully researched, factual threads?

[Redleg 41,737]

As opposed to all those carefully researched, factual threads?

I knew the No T$ no BS thread would finally get a mention and a compliment.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

Traveled over to Ballarat on Saturday, enjoyable day. Lots of things to like about the Demons, even though the Doggies had heaps out. My biggest issue is that we still lack leaders apart from Nathan Jones. When the Doggies came back, our more experienced players like Jamar, Garland, Grimes, Dunn were deplorable. The Doggies had Boyd, Minson, Morris etc who really stood up for them although they did nothing for the first 3 1/4s. Jamar may have been off the ground by then, but I was on the other side of the ground to the bench. Garland especially was terrible. Stuffed up 2 critical contests and then gave away an incredibly stupid 50 metre penalty. His intensity always worries me for a backman. I thought there were more positives than negatives, but still some issues there. Lumumba was good, so was Tyson, Salem, can't see the criticism of Tommy Mac myself, thought he was good.

but, before we get too excited...

Got given some free tickets to the game in Bendigo between Collingwood and Carlton via my mate on the medical panel at Collingwood. Thought that the intensity of this game left the Demons vs Doggies game for dead. Very little space and time given to players when they had the ball, the whole day gave me the impression that the Demons are still a bit behind in intensity and physical pressure to these 2 teams, neither of whom seem to me to be Top 8 teams. Impressed by Gault & Sinclair for Collingwood, also De Goey. Carlton didn't seem to have improved much.

We seem to still have some way to go before we can compete with the better teams, but our new recruits all appear to be good enough to fill our glaring holes. Can anyone tell me what happen to VanDenBurg? Thought he was looking ok? I didn't see Brayshaw? Thought he was named to play?

I'm glad someone who was actually at the game agrees with me! Bloody VFL standard.

[Samael 560]

I think you're right with your observations Bendigo Demon.

I've only watched the boys on TV over the past couple of weeks, my observations are:

The boys are looking better on attack and rebound - i really do think Toump and Salem with the right support will excel behind the ball. They'll make mistakes, but I reckon you'll accept mistakes (like getting caught with the ball) over not being able to play.

But I also noticed we drop away really quickly when our prime ball winners go missing. Unfortunetly we are going to have to rely on Michie, Bail, M jones, etc until our young boys come on (Toump, Petracca, Brayshaw)

I like what I see but a unfortuenlty a few more years before we are real contendars me thinks

All the new boys really add something - I like them all and Frosty, I like Frost, I think he'll replace Chip nicely

Why "unfortunately we are going to have to rely on Michie Bail and M Jones......

I don't get the lack of love for Viv. His last 4 games last season were excellent and I think he was twice named in the best. The first NAB challenge he was our 4 best (based on stats) and only had part of the last qtr in the 2nd game. In that time he garnered 5 touches, 2 Inside 50's 100% efficiency and 2 tackles.Compare his 21% of game time to Frost's 76%. Frost

Viv Michie 22 4 0 4 1 3 100 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 21 26 1Sam Frost 17 3 4 7 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 100 76 28

I well know that stats are not the be all and end all of a players worth but they are a consistent measure when looking at all players. Just my opinion and I am bias

[The Devil Inside 2,147]

I thought we had already covered this, from coaches and players who I have actually spoken to, Roos understood why players took the foot of the gas in 3rd quarter, was not impressed at all with how far we took it off in 4th quarter and made his feelings known, along with other coaches and some of the senior players

That game is gone, let's now see how we go against Essendon and whether the words have been listened to

[ManDee 7,239]

Why "unfortunately we are going to have to rely on Michie Bail and M Jones......

I don't get the lack of love for Viv. His last 4 games last season were excellent and I think he was twice named in the best. The first NAB challenge he was our 4 best (based on stats) and only had part of the last qtr in the 2nd game. In that time he garnered 5 touches, 2 Inside 50's 100% efficiency and 2 tackles.Compare his 21% of game time to Frost's 76%. Frost

Viv Michie 22 4 0 4 1 3 100 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 21 26 1Sam Frost 17 3 4 7 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 100 76 28

I well know that stats are not the be all and end all of a players worth but they are a consistent measure when looking at all players. Just my opinion and I am bias

Viv Michie 22 4 0 4 1 3 100 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 21 26 1Sam Frost 17 3 4 7 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 100 76 28

12 50 12 11 5 9 0 8 8 9 11 100 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 100 4 7 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 WTF ???????????????????????????? Some context please.

[jnrmac 20,206]

I'm glad someone who was actually at the game agrees with me! Bloody VFL standard.

We know he's on the way out...free agent....

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Why "unfortunately we are going to have to rely on Michie Bail and M Jones......

I don't get the lack of love for Viv. His last 4 games last season were excellent and I think he was twice named in the best. The first NAB challenge he was our 4 best (based on stats) and only had part of the last qtr in the 2nd game. In that time he garnered 5 touches, 2 Inside 50's 100% efficiency and 2 tackles.Compare his 21% of game time to Frost's 76%. Frost

Viv Michie 22 4 0 4 1 3 100 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 21 26 1Sam Frost 17 3 4 7 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 100 76 28

I well know that stats are not the be all and end all of a players worth but they are a consistent measure when looking at all players. Just my opinion and I am bias

Viv Michie 22 4 0 4 1 3 100 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 21 26 1Sam Frost 17 3 4 7 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 100 76 28

12 50 12 11 5 9 0 8 8 9 11 100 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 100 4 7 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 2 0 0 12 0 0 WTF ???????????????????????????? Some context please.

I think he is a bit late on International Pi Day and actually means:

3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944592307816406286 208998628034825342117067982148086513282306647093844609550582231725359408128481 117450284102701938521105559644622948954930381964428810975665933446128475648233 786783165271201909145648566923460348610454326648213393607260249141273724587006 606315588174881520920962829254091715364367892590360011330530548820466521384146 951941511609433057270365759591953092186117381932611793105118548074462379962749 567351885752724891227938183011949129833673362440656643086021394946395224737190 702179860943702770539217176293176752384674818467669405132000568127145263560827 785771342757789609173637178721468440901224953430146549585371050792279689258923 542019956112129021960864034418159813629774771309960518707211349999998372978049 951059731732816096318595024459455346908302642522308253344685035261931188171010 003137838752886587533208381420617177669147303598253490428755468731159562863882 353787593751957781857780532171226806613001927876611195909216420198938095257201 065485863278865936153381827968230301952035301852968995773622599413891249721775 283479131515574857242454150695950829533116861727855889075098381754637464939319 255060400927701671139009848824012858361603563707660104710181942955596198946767 837449448255379774726847104047534646208046684259069491293313677028989152104752 162056966024058038150193511253382430035587640247496473263914199272604269922796 782354781636009341721641219924586315030286182974555706749838505494588586926995

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

[binman 44,196]

[Cheap Seats 3,310]

Why "unfortunately we are going to have to rely on Michie Bail and M Jones......

I don't get the lack of love for Viv. His last 4 games last season were excellent and I think he was twice named in the best. The first NAB challenge he was our 4 best (based on stats) and only had part of the last qtr in the 2nd game. In that time he garnered 5 touches, 2 Inside 50's 100% efficiency and 2 tackles.Compare his 21% of game time to Frost's 76%. Frost

Viv Michie 22 4 0 4 1 3 100 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 21 26 1Sam Frost 17 3 4 7 4 3 42.9 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 100 76 28

I well know that stats are not the be all and end all of a players worth but they are a consistent measure when looking at all players. Just my opinion and I am bias

What Song said.... Stats don't mean much to me - they can be formatted to suit any argument

I don't rate Viv that highly - ok player nothing special more depth - just my opinion

But hey every dog has it's day (for lack of better words) I wouldn't be upset if he dominated 2015

I think he is a bit late on International Pi Day and actually means:

3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944592307816406286 208998628034825342117067982148086513282306647093844609550582231725359408128481 117450284102701938521105559644622948954930381964428810975665933446128475648233 786783165271201909145648566923460348610454326648213393607260249141273724587006 606315588174881520920962829254091715364367892590360011330530548820466521384146 951941511609433057270365759591953092186117381932611793105118548074462379962749 567351885752724891227938183011949129833673362440656643086021394946395224737190 702179860943702770539217176293176752384674818467669405132000568127145263560827 785771342757789609173637178721468440901224953430146549585371050792279689258923 542019956112129021960864034418159813629774771309960518707211349999998372978049 951059731732816096318595024459455346908302642522308253344685035261931188171010 003137838752886587533208381420617177669147303598253490428755468731159562863882 353787593751957781857780532171226806613001927876611195909216420198938095257201 065485863278865936153381827968230301952035301852968995773622599413891249721775 283479131515574857242454150695950829533116861727855889075098381754637464939319 255060400927701671139009848824012858361603563707660104710181942955596198946767 837449448255379774726847104047534646208046684259069491293313677028989152104752 162056966024058038150193511253382430035587640247496473263914199272604269922796 782354781636009341721641219924586315030286182974555706749838505494588586926995