14 hours ago, Chook said:

Get rid of this stupid bye after round 23 please. We can see that one game in 27 days is not an “advantage” for a top four side that wins week 1 of the finals.

 

2 hours ago, daisycutter said:

nothing new here. the old final 4 system allowed sides to get 2 weeks off during finals and was generally seen as an advantage to the top sides

 

2 hours ago, rjay said:

It's very different 'daisy', having one game in a month is a big disadvantage. We will see this afternoon with GWS but it's going to be hard for them to switch on at the start.

The advantage they have is that they've seen what happened to the Cats but their momentum has stopped, not easy to turn it back on.

How is it very different??

In the old final four, the top two teams had week one of the finals off, then the winner of 1 v 2 had week 3 off, (the preliminary final) and went straight to the Grand Final.

Exactly the same as happened with the bye this year!

In the Final Five system the top team had the first week off and if they won in week 2, would have week three off, before playing in the Grand Final.

If I remember correctly, with the Final Six both top teams had week one off.

It was generally viewed as a big advantage to have those breaks, particularly before the Grand Final. I'm pretty sure that's why we have a system where both Grand Finalists, now get there through a Preliminary final.

People accuse the AFL of a knee jerk reaction in bringing in the bye, but the conclusions being drawn on the basis of Geelong's loss can hardly be said to be based on well considered evidence.

 

Rather amusing to think our soft effort against the Cats may have contributed to their lack of match fitness and, ultimately, cost them a chance at the Premiership.

That's certainly how I'll be remembering that match in round 23.

 

Chris Scott is the Neeld of Geel... That's unfair to Neeld.

Of many failings, a massive fail was having three rucks.  Apart from woefully bombing long to an out numbered forward line, they were essentially playing a man down on field all game.

Applying this to us... Why would we want to add a FWD/Ruck?

We have a modern system with Gawn and Watts.  Both in career best form.

I was at the game and asked the Geel guy next to me where they vent frustration at their inept coach and selection, to find they don't have a 'Demonland'!

True or not, it made me thankful to WJ and Nasher.

And to Stuie who'd never have let up if we selected such a rubbish team.

39 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Nice touch the Doggies shouting breakfast for all those that travelled to Sydney for the game. That sort of good swill goes a long way. Hope other clubs learn to treat their supporters with the same respect - including ours.

I'd settle for the players just turning up each week ready to play.

9 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

I'd settle for the players just turning up each week ready to play.

lol

14 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

I'd settle for the players just turning up each week ready to play.

I don't think there is any doubt the Doggy players have done that

cant wait to the start of this game, see how the giants handle it. Good evening on sport watch this game htne flick over to the storm match. Hoping for the doggies/storm win

i fully expect the franchise to make it two sydney sides in the granny.

5 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

i fully expect the franchise to make it two sydney sides in the granny.

you're probably on the money, andrew, but i'm not writing off the doggies at seatless stadium yet

Saw a fan holding up a Melbourne  flag behind one of the goals 

It busts my chops seeing $cully out there.

Dog Day Afternoon

The Dogs are good to watch

Great Crowd

Well done Dogs Keep the AFL quiet

GWS will likely win this now. Doggies 17 inside 50s for 2 goals. GWS 7 inside 50s for 2 goals. You have to score when you have that kind of momentum or you lose like we did against the Eagles.

Dogs will pay for their missed opportunities. Dominated and only one point ahead. ?

Heath Shaw = [censored] wit!

Yep Smith should have kicked that goal on the siren then. They dominated and should be further ahead. Heath Shaw is just a talking dumb arse. 

GWS was off for most of that first quarter. Dogs should have kicked 4 or 5 goals.

Instead, they mucked around with it across half-forward and couldn't find a target. Shaw and Davis were exceptional, it has to be said. But the Dogs made mistake after mistake.

Now, they're losing. 

This is turning into a very ugly game for all the wrong reasons.

Also the Dogs inside 50 entries are being eaten up by Giants defence. Stop bombing it in in hope!

To the Death this one

Clay Smith on fire.

The Swans are in the box seat now. Whoever wins this will be tired and sore.

Umpiring is putrid. Beveridge knew what he was doing earlier in the year defending Troy Pannell's 17-1 free kick count in the Dogs favour. They get a good run every week like North do.