Game Day 6/3/16

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

I was one of the measly 2000 dees supporters that bothered to show up, clearly not many demonlanders posting here were. How many members do we have again? It was Cragieburn not the friggin arctic circle. Maybe the commentary has coloured people's views. I wasn't in the greatest mood at 3QT but we demolished them in the last. It was like there was one team out there.  Yes it was a clanger festival but it was a praccy in tough conditions. What is this 'young dogs' BS have we already forgotten we are THE Peter Pan club of the AFL, just replenishing our ranks with zero gamers every year.  We are definitely going to win a few more than last year and that's all you can ever really ask. We might have been fairly high strength but missing Hogan is huge. I am pumped we have the opportunity to go 3 from 3 after the Saints match, head into the season with some genuine momentum for the first time in about 20 years.

[RalphiusMaximus 6,054]

OK, that was a hell of a long drive back from the ground.  I was at the scoring end, so missed a lot of what happened at the other end of the ground, including two goals to Watts apparently.  Anyway:

There was a solid three goal wind blowing to my end.  It was pretty consistent for the whole game.  We were three down at quarter time, level at half time, three down at 3/4 time...  The big difference is that the doggies couldn't score against the wind. 

One of the biggest issues I had with our team today is that they didn't seem to have any idea of what the wind was doing to their kicks.  We saw both kickers over-hitting passes because the wind caught them and targets missing the ball because they couldn't read the drop when it was kicked into the wind.  The Doggies read the flight much better than we did. 

One of the biggest positives was the furious attack on the ball and the man.  Even a bulldogs side without half a dozen senior players has a very strong midfield, and we matched them through brute force as much as skill.  This is what Roos has been talking about when he asked for a team of competitors.  Even though we didn't handle the wind well and many had a bad case of the fumbles, the attack kept them in the game and more often than not won the ball. 

Other positives:

Watts:  Took some really good marks, roved between the 50 and the wing and occasionally dropped into defence at the end of the quarter (and took a nice mark in the goalsquare down there).  My biggest issue with his game was that he took long shots against the wind in the first and third, but refused to take the same shots with the wind behind him in the second and fourth.  He could have had five or six today if he'd backed himself to kick 50m with the wind at his back. 

Gawn was immense again.  They were actually pulling Boyd out of his forward spot to double-team him at one point.  Boyd was designated ruck and just blocked Gawn out while Minson got the uncontested hitout (I'm pretty sure that blocking is illegal, but the umps were not on our side today).

Speaking of Boyd, he did not impress.  He was lazy defensively, kicked poorly and in general just failed to impact the game. 

Viney is awesome.  I have to say this.  Even when he turned the ball over, he went back in and won it again. 

Harmes took a ripping hanger and goal, which was nice.  I have a feeling though that he may have also been the one who kicked a perfect pass to a Bulldog for a nine-point goal. 

Kennedy worked really hard and in the second half that translated into winning more ball and creating attacking opportunities. 

Our backline weren't great today.  They were disorganised and repeatedly got caught out being too far up the ground while their opponents had dropped off and were wide open in the 50.  At one point Nev was marking Boyd (who didn't manage to take a mark on him).  I think they were too eager to attack and forgot about their men or just assumed that someone else was covering for them. 

Overall, a good win even if the doggies were missing a few.  It was based on guts and hard work more than skill, but hopefully they will get the touch back by the start of the season.  There were far too many players fumbling for my liking, including a few dropped chest marks. You have to give them a pass, but lots still to work on. 

Edited March 6, 2016 by RalphiusMaximus

[binman 43,004]

7 minutes ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

OK, that was a hell of a long drive back from the ground.  I was at the scoring end, so missed a lot of what happened at the other end of the ground, including two goals to Watts apparently.  Anyway:

There was a solid three goal wind blowing to my end.  It was pretty consistent for the whole game.  We were three down at quarter time, level at half time, three down at 3/4 time...  The big difference is that the doggies couldn't score against the wind. 

One of the biggest issues I had with our team today is that they didn't seem to have any idea of what the wind was doing to their kicks.  We saw both kickers over-hitting passes because the wind caught them and targets missing the ball because they couldn't read the drop when it was kicked into the wind.  The Doggies read the flight much better than we did. 

One of the biggest positives was the furious attack on the ball and the man.  Even a bulldogs side without half a dozen senior players has a very strong midfield, and we matched them through brute force as much as skill.  This is what Roos has been talking about when he asked for a team of competitors.  Even though we didn't handle the wind well and many had a bad case of the fumbles, the attack kept them in the game and more often than not won the ball. 

Other positives:

Watts:  Took some really good marks, roved between the 50 and the wing and occasionally dropped into defence at the end of the quarter (and took a nice mark in the goalsquare down there).  My biggest issue with his game was that he took long shots against the wind in the first and third, but refused to take the same shots with the wind behind him in the second and fourth.  He could have had five or six today if he'd backed himself to kick 50m with the wind at his back. 

Gawn was immense again.  They were actually pulling Boyd out of his forward spot to double-team him at one point.  Boyd was designated ruck and just blocked Gawn out while Minson got the uncontested hitout (I'm pretty sure that blocking is illegal, but the umps were not on our side today).

Speaking of Boyd, he did not impress.  He was lazy defensively, kicked poorly and in general just failed to impact the game. 

Viney is awesome.  I have to say this.  Even when he turned the ball over, he went back in and won it again. 

Harmes took a ripping hanger and goal, which was nice.  I have a feeling though that he may have also been the one who kicked a perfect pass to a Bulldog for a nine-point goal. 

Kennedy worked really hard and in the second half that translated into winning more ball and creating attacking opportunities. 

Our backline weren't great today.  They were disorganised and repeatedly got caught out being too far up the ground while their opponents had dropped off and were wide open in the 50.  At one point Nev was marking Boyd (who didn't manage to take a mark on him).  I think they were too eager to attack and forgot about their men or just assumed that someone else was covering for them. 

Overall, a good win even if the doggies were missing a few.  It was based on guts and hard work more than skill, but hopefully they will get the touch back by the start of the season.  There were far too many players fumbling for my liking, including a few dropped chest marks. You have to give them a pass, but lots still to work on. 

An excellent summary of the game.

[Cards13 9,117]

2 hours ago, Wiseblood said:

Just listening to Goodwin's press conference - says Vanders should be right for next week and that Dunny had a bit of a groin injury as well but should be right to go as well.

Good to hear that the injuries we received this week were only very minimal.

Seeing the replay, would be amazed if he is playing next week. I'd hope he is right for rnd 1.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

7 minutes ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

 

One of the biggest positives was the furious attack on the ball and the man.  Even a bulldogs side without half a dozen senior players has a very strong midfield, and we matched them through brute force as much as skill.  This is what Roos has been talking about when he asked for a team of competitors.  Even though we didn't handle the wind well and many had a bad case of the fumbles, the attack kept them in the game and more often than not won the ball. 

This is the headline news for me also. It is hard to believe how far we have come in this crucial aspect of the game over the last 2 years

[RalphiusMaximus 6,054]

Also, I spotted 'Gus in the stand high-fiving the team as they walked off.  No bandages on his knee, but he did have a bit of a limp as he walked down the steps. 

[jumbo returns 6,741]

How good was Wattsy?

Yeah.....tha's right.....

[CBDees 3,167]

Great win and sorry to post so late at night. Some great competitors today, especially Watts, Oliver, Viney and Kennedy. Would be very surprised if Oliver doesn't play every match this year: he is such a competitor! Nice that our two wins to date are against teams that most pundits are predicting will make the final eight. (And we will be even stronger with Petracca!)

i also liked the way Kent and Harmes go about their footy.

[DeeSpencer 25,715]

47 minutes ago, old dee said:

Amen to all the above ww

For the first time in a decade we have a half decent list that has won the first two games of a season.

Ok we had poor periods but we still won.

Get that guys we won in spite of some players not playing well

The Dogs had some of their better players out.

So what we won.

Get it everyone we won.

 

Only some is more like 15.

FB: Morris #### Wood

HB: Boyd  #####   Murphy

C: Macrae   Bont   Suckling

HF: Hunter  ####  Picken 

FF: Stringer ####    Dickson

Ruck: ####   Wallis   Dahlhaus

Int: Stevens  Johannisen

Most of that lot would absolutely walk it to our side. 

We took on the bulldogs dodgy spine, Libba and a bunch of kids and it took us 4 quarters to over run them to win the game. 

Imagine us without 15 of our best players, it would be a blood bath against a near full strength team. 

[Dr. Gonzo 24,223]

On BF Dogs supporters reckon non of their top 15 from last year's B&F played including "Missing from today's squad that would be best 22 (or thereabouts) are Suckling, Murphy, Wallis, Bont, Boyd, Dahlhaus, Hunter, Stringer, Wood, Macrae, Biggs, Stevens, Dickson, Morris, Johannisen and Picken"

That was a pretty pathetic performance, we should've smashed that team today. Some of the turnovers were excruciating, I hope we perform a lot better next week - although perhaps we need a wake up call before round 1....

On a more positive note I'm loving the look of Oliver. 

[CBDees 3,167]

7 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Only some is more like 15.

FB: Morris #### Wood

HB: Boyd  #####   Murphy

C: Macrae   Bont   Suckling

HF: Hunter  ####  Picken 

FF: Stringer ####    Dickson

Ruck: ####   Wallis   Dahlhaus

Int: Stevens  Johannisen

Most of that lot would absolutely walk it to our side. 

We took on the bulldogs dodgy spine, Libba and a bunch of kids and it took us 4 quarters to over run them to win the game. 

Imagine us without 15 of our best players, it would be a blood bath against a near full strength team. 

Not if we had Hogan, Petracca, Trengove etc back in. You are selling the boys short.

[DeeSpencer 25,715]

Just now, CBDees said:

Not if we had Hogan, Petracca, Trengove etc back in. You are selling the boys short.

Hogan and Petracca makes 2, Brayshaw would be a nice 3rd.  Trengove is excluded as Clay Smith from the Dogs is also excluded, we don't know what he'll be when he's back yet. 

That accounts (and being generous) for Stringer, Bont and Macrae maybe. 

Still doesn't account for another 12 players including the skill aspects of the Dogs backline, a large chunk of their midfield and a few other solid forwards. 

Similar young sides to the one the Dogs put out there today - like Carl, Essendon, Richmond and Hawthorn have fielded over the first two rounds - have been absolutely punished by experienced line ups. 

Today was poor, I'm not sure why everyone is keen to reward the mediocrity.

[bing181 9,241]

8 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Today was poor, I'm not sure why everyone is keen to reward the mediocrity.

Perhaps because some of us just don't see things as black or white.

[Ted Lasso 19,518]

28 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Only some is more like 15.

FB: Morris #### Wood

HB: Boyd  #####   Murphy

C: Macrae   Bont   Suckling

HF: Hunter  ####  Picken 

FF: Stringer ####    Dickson

Ruck: ####   Wallis   Dahlhaus

Int: Stevens  Johannisen

Most of that lot would absolutely walk it to our side. 

We took on the bulldogs dodgy spine, Libba and a bunch of kids and it took us 4 quarters to over run them to win the game. 

Imagine us without 15 of our best players, it would be a blood bath against a near full strength team. 

I think it's also important to note that we were significantly below our best and the dogs really weren't that bad, that dogs side would still seriously push some of the lower sides imo

[Akum 2,660]

Seems that the opinions of those who were at the game are quite different from some of those who weren't ...

[dazzledavey36 54,947]

I did a player performance write up last week for every player and il do one for todays game.

I do have mix emotions about this game. It was very sloppy but for some reason I had confidence we would fight back. A good side will punish these younger less experience sides but we are not a good side yet. We are getting there though.

Don't underestimate the doggies though. They will go up a level this year and today showed they have great depth coming through.

Watts: A standout game. His work rate and especially his contested work was a big improvement and like last week continued to chase and harassed. Is this the makings of Brendan McCartney?? The big test is when the real stuff begins but as a high half forward he was really classy and the comparisons to Jack Gunston is spot on if he keeps his form up. 16 dispoasals 10 marks and 3.1

Gawn: Just your typical reform Gawn game. Remember that night Minson ran Gawn ragged in 2013? Well big max took Minson to the sword and beat him hands down.. No wait he beat both Campbell and Minson at the same time. 46 hitouts to Campbell's 14 and Minsons 8.. Also just felt today those marks couldn't quite stick but that will only get better with more experience.

Viney: Backed up last week efforts with 25 disposals and 6 tackles. Was a bit shaky with his disposal but did his job and is set for a big 2016. Is in good form atm.

Matt Jones: Take note Tom McDonald and take a leaf out of this blokes book because you can tell he has worked on his weakness's really hard over the summer and has kept it simple. I mean honestly I didn't see him waste a disposal. He knows his limitations and has definitely put his hand up for round 1. He deserves his spot.

Nathan Jones: Was rusty today but still showed that true captain spirit by going in hard and getting ball moving forward with aggression. Will get better with more match fitness over the next couple of weeks. Good to have the skip back.

Garlett: He is our 2nd best forward behind Hogan. The guy is a freakshow and that goal he pulled out of his ass was magic. 5 tackles shows he is doing his job by providing forward pressure and harassment. Another good game from Jeffy. This is a big statement but he is the best small forward in the competition behind Betts. Could easily have kicked 4 today.

Tyson: Much improved game from last week. disposed the ball well and gave the first option. I was very critical of him last week but today he was good. Also 7 tackles is a good effort and just shows he is doing a lot of grunt work in the clearences. His goal was classy no doubt.

McDonald: He was horrible. See my thread..

Grimes: I thought Grimes was a lot better today then last week. I didn't see any major clangers like we see in the past but like Matt Jones he kept it simple today. Id like to see him as a tagger but seemed to play bit of everywhere today and took some nice marks so I thought he did his job.

Harmes: Beside that horrendous turnover he was actually quite good. Again he continues to put forward pressure with 5 tackles today. His mark was almost Russell Robertson like up forward. Robbo played at 184cm while Harmes is 185cm tall so you never know.. Personally id like to see him come round 1 as his forward pressure is important for our structure. Hard and tough but won some ball outside today.

Bugg: Showed again today why he will be a good recruit. Played wing and provided grunt and aggression. I'm glad the club hasn't been giving him any tagging roles because he can actually win the ball a lot when given the chance. Good game by Bugg with 22 disposals.

Salem: Was good today and showed his class off a half back. Just feel we need to get the ball in his hands more often so he can give us that drive and precise of a half back. Personally I still feel he needs to be up on a wing then up back but can understand why we need him down back.

Kennedy: Liked Kennedys game today but he should have nailed those shots especially when he was running into an opening goal. Tough little bugger who spent more time up forward today then midfield. 16 disposals from a half forward is not a bad effort so will continue to watch his progress over the next coming weeks.

Vandenberg: Not as good as last week but still showed his aggression at the ball and man. Only sour note was his ankle injury which is not serious. Do we rest him for next week? Need him fit and firing come round 1.

Pedersen: Cemented his spot as a Forward/ruckman for round 1. Could have kicked 3 goals today if he didn't handball over the top to Watts and the siren didn't go when the ball was clearly going to be marked into a running goal in the 3rd term. Did a fantastic run down tackle only to undo his good work with a poor turnover. Playing his role well.

Oliver: We have a beauty here. I don't know how many times in congestion he'd gather the ball with an opponent ready to tackle only to quickly dispose of it in clear congestion to our outside runners. His awareness is seriously elite. He is already up to speed with the game and even when he got tackled and looked to get pinned he would somehow get a handball or a quick kick out. Just doesn't' seem to ever get caught, bit like Scott Pendlebury. He has grown also because on Tv he looks a lot taller then 188cm.. His mark was special also. If he can push forward and take those kind of marks he will be the player Colin Sylvia was suppose to. Giddy up for round 1 Clayto!

Jetta: Another typical Jetta game who did his job and provided bit of drive.

Vince: Like Jones blew out the cobwebs and played across half back. Id rather his class in the midfield though.

Kent: A quite game and hardly noticed him throughout the match but for him its all about getting match fitness and run in the legs.

Hunt: Not seen anything to suggest he will make it as an AFL player. Still yet to see this breakaway speed we hear about. Was surprised to read he had 8 disposals because I just rarely noticed him. Was he doing a lock down role? who knows but he has a lot of work to do.

Michie: Wish they would give this bloke a serious go. Came on with 2 minutes to go in the 3rd term and had 8 disposals for the game. Used the ball well and rarely wasted it. Will be the upgrade for Melksham. Just feel he could add a bit to our side as his last month in 2015 showed his ball winning ability and classy disposal.

Wagner: is a competitor but he is not ready for senior footy. Played the 2nd half and like Hunt I just rarely noticed him.

Dunn: Don't know when he went off but hope his groin pulls up well.

Stretch: Disappointed they didn't bother to even give him a run at all. Hope he plays a full game next week as I think his run and spread could be important for us.

All in all im looking forward to Lumumba coming back next week and Brayshaw Petracca Trengove really ramping up their training because them included would make our side a whole lot better.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,223]

31 minutes ago, bing181 said:

 

33 minutes ago, bing181 said:

Perhaps because some of us just don't see things as black or white.

Nah just red and blue...

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Last year we played Essendon in the final NAB game. They were missing a bunch of their best players (due to "the saga").

We lost.

At least this year, when faced with a side missing players, we managed to find a way to win. It's those kind of games we lost last year and have regularly lost since 2007 - games where we are favourites and/or know we have a chance are the ones we often stuff up. We let them get ahead, twice, and we fought back both times.

[Uncle Fester 2,848]

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

On BF Dogs supporters reckon non of their top 15 from last year's B&F played including "Missing from today's squad that would be best 22 (or thereabouts) are Suckling, Murphy, Wallis, Bont, Boyd, Dahlhaus, Hunter, Stringer, Wood, Macrae, Biggs, Stevens, Dickson, Morris, Johannisen and Picken"

That was a pretty pathetic performance, we should've smashed that team today. Some of the turnovers were excruciating, I hope we perform a lot better next week - although perhaps we need a wake up call before round 1....

On a more positive note I'm loving the look of Oliver. 

 

Geez, how about 2 years ago we would have gone down by 10 once they kicked away in the third. Forget who wasn't there and enjoy that for two games in a row the lads dug deep when all seemed lost; and then found a way to win.

 

Yeah, yeah.. Nab... blah blah etc

 

I'm not expecting a GF or even a final, but it's nice to see the boys keep at it when all seems lost... no matter the opposition. Something that has been lacking for many years. It ain't Xmas, but it sure as hell isn't doomsday.

[What 18,810]

31 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

Last year we played Essendon in the final NAB game. They were missing a bunch of their best players (due to "the saga").

We lost.

 

Forget the meaningless NAB Cup.

We played them in the real season with half their team out and lost.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

Today was poor, I'm not sure why everyone is keen to reward the mediocrity.

Cause it's demonland bro.

There's even a thread going around at the moment celebrating our 'two nab challenge' wins.

I like that you named 15 of the dogs starting 22 players who missed today, yet people still howl you down for pointing it out.

Comedic really.

Today again highlighted the weaknesses that have existed and haunted us for years. Lack of quality senior players and a lack of kicking skills and decision making skills all over the ground but in the backline especially. How many goals came from turnovers in our back-half?

 

Edited March 6, 2016 by stevethemanjordan

[DemonDave 1,089]

A few random observations from the trek out to the 'Burn:

That wind seriously affected the ball in the air today. A 3 goal wind advantage seemed about right.  For us to score those goals in the 3rd quarter against it was crucial,  and gave us confidence that despite trailing at the last break,  we would win. 

Sam Frost is a long long way away from being in our best 22. Just 2 disposals up to the last change today just reinforces my view that he's an athlete masquerading as a footballer, he has very few footy smarts.

We also saw a bit of the old Kent, with a largely anonymous game that he so often produces where he goes completely missing for large parts of the game.

Plenty to like from Bugg in that first half he found plenty of footy and helped created the play this was a much more impressive showing from him.

The playing surface itself was a treat today,  albeit the rise in the middle of the ground made it tricky to see play on the far side at times. 

Roll on the saints! 

[SaberFang 7,151]

37 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Today again highlighted the weaknesses that have existed and haunted us for years. Lack of quality senior players and a lack of kicking skills and decision making skills all over the ground but in the backline especially. How many goals came from turnovers in our back-half?

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the "veil of negativity."

37 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Cause it's demonland bro.

There's even a thread going around at the moment celebrating our 'two nab challenge' wins.

Maybe you should start another thread called "We're Still Shithouse" where you can moan about how godawful and culture-destroying all these pre-season wins are. Is it too late to get that Neeld fella back?

What a disgraceful bunch of supporters; having the gall to... get this... celebrate... winning two games of footy.

Hang your heads in shame, Demonlanders.

Edited March 6, 2016 by SaberFang

[RalphiusMaximus 6,054]

2 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Today was poor, I'm not sure why everyone is keen to reward the mediocrity.

 

32 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Cause it's demonland bro.

There's even a thread going around at the moment celebrating our 'two nab challenge' wins.

I like that you named 15 of the dogs starting 22 players who missed today, yet people still howl you down for pointing it out.

Comedic really.

Seriously?  I think you need to hand back those memberships and go follow Richmond or something.  Why do you bother claiming to be a Melbourne supporter?  If we lose we're a crap team.  If we win we didn't win by enough.  What would you be saying if we'd smashed them by 50?  "Oh, it was just their reserves, it doesn't count, they'll still destroy us in the real season..." 

You can only beat the side that shows up to play you.  It doesn't matter if it's the best their club can field or not.  What we did today was win ugly, and I'll take that over getting cut to pieces any day. 

[Fork 'em 6,984]

We won ugly over the Bulldog twos.
We'll lose ugly when we meet the Bulldog ones.

And no bouncing up and down here will change it.

Edited March 6, 2016 by Fork 'em