Thoughts everyone?

We played pretty well today, plenty to like and some of the kids showed their flashes of brilliance.

Lewis was our top possession winner, already looking like a wonderful acquisition!

Not 1 highlight on the AFL Website..

Just now, Sir Why You Little said:

Not 1 highlight on the AFL Website..

The Doggies will be the like the Warriors of the NBA - they will dominate everything as they are the media darlings.  We'll just need to get used to it.  We played some great footy today and I don't mind that it will go largely unnoticed, as it doesn't mean a whole lot in February but it will also help us stay under the radar a little.

Just now, Wiseblood said:

The Doggies will be the like the Warriors of the NBA - they will dominate everything as they are the media darlings.  We'll just need to get used to it.  We played some great footy today and I don't mind that it will go largely unnoticed, as it doesn't mean a whole lot in February but it will also help us stay under the radar a little.

Sure. But some of us would like to see something!!

Hogan looks set for a huge year could easily have kicked 5-6 today 

Lewis is as good a pickup as we expected 

jones good off half back

melksham handy 

still plenty of work to do 

Just now, Sir Why You Little said:

Sure. But some of us would like to see something!!

All I can say is that, once the highlights of the game as a whole are uploaded, you'll enjoy some promising footy from our boys.

Joel Smith was another today who stepped up and took his chance.  He might find it hard to crack the 22 to begin the year, but he can only continue to develop and get better from here.  Moves very well, is strong in the contest and doesn't look to bad with his disposal.  One to certainly keep an eye on.

Much better win than the corresponding fixture last year when we beat the Dogs reserves with plenty of skill errors.

Big ticks to the fossils (Jones, Lewis, Vince). Smith had a quieter second half but is firming for round 1. Petracca was good, Melksham is heart in mouth stuff but was OK, slimline Oliver is amazing as is non-stuttering Jesse. 

I think vandenBerg and Harmes will struggle for games this year. JKH and ANB had their moments but neither  confirmed they're up to the grade.

I need to mention Oliver again, I think he's in for a Cripps 2015 year.

Overall a lot to like.

Edited February 18, 20178 yr by Sylvia Saint

Looks like we have a round 1 bolter in J Smith. Salem, Clarry and Bray appear to have gone up a gear. Hogan looks like he may have gone up a few gears. We were good around the contest but we did get too many drawn in a bit too much. Also our ability to kick the ball out of the backline is still a concern. Vince down there gets it a lot but is a liability and he will cost us games if he plays there all year. 

Pedersen takes Weideman's spot in the early rounds.

i appreciate he did a couple of nice things today including a strong  contested mark inside 50 but I don't think he's ready yet.

5 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

All I can say is that, once the highlights of the game as a whole are uploaded, you'll enjoy some promising footy from our boys.

Joel Smith was another today who stepped up and took his chance.  He might find it hard to crack the 22 to begin the year, but he can only continue to develop and get better from here.  Moves very well, is strong in the contest and doesn't look to bad with his disposal.  One to certainly keep an eye on.

Good DNA that Smith boy!!!

Jones behind the ball provides a lot of confidence. Looks in ripping nick. 

Hogan will crack 50 goals this year.

O Mac will be a big improver.

Tommy Bugg is a far from perfect but I love having him wearing the jumper.

If JKH can stay fit he could be around the mix for selection throughout the year. Likewise J Smith.

Spencil and Salem the two big stories of the day with their performances. Spencer provides a selection dilemma for Round 1.

Just on Joel Smith - is he eligible to actually play Round 1 as a Category B rookie?  Do we have space to elevate him to the senior list at this stage?

2 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Just on Joel Smith - is he eligible to actually play Round 1 as a Category B rookie?  Do we have space to elevate him to the senior list at this stage?

Lumumba would free up a spot. Best thing he's ever done for the club.

Spencer, I hate to see opposition players getting hurt. Keep up the good work...

Real impressive stuff today! 80 marks to 36, bodes very well indeed as does 15 to 8 centre clearances!

exciting times ahead in my opinion, dogs were playing to win that one!

4 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Just on Joel Smith - is he eligible to actually play Round 1 as a Category B rookie?  Do we have space to elevate him to the senior list at this stage?

So for those who don't know, the current rules are clubs can nominate 1 Rookie (A or B) to play senior games before round 1 and nominate another later on in the season, as well as be replacements for long term injuries and retirees.

The AFLPA in their new bargaining agreement are looking to make it so there are no restrictions on when rookies can play so that might come into affect for the season.

9 minutes ago, Sylvia Saint said:

Much better win than the corresponding fixture last year when we beat the Dogs reserves with plenty of skill errors.

Big ticks to the fossils (Jones, Lewis, Vince). Smith had a quieter second half but is firming for round 1. Petracca was good, Melksham is heart in mouth stuff but was OK, slimline Oliver is amazing as is non-stuttering Jesse. 

I think vandenBerg and Harmes will struggle for games this year. JKH and ANB had their moments but neither  confirmed they're up to the grade.

I need to mention Oliver again, I think he's in for a Cripps 2015 year.

Overall a lot to like.

I actually thought vanders was good, is more of a stay at home half forward flank while the others (brayshaw etc) went roaming. He provided a great link. Might be competing with a fully fit Kent but think he'll play a fair few games

We went to pieces mentally in the last five minutes of the second and fourth quarters - I think greater concentration and drilling in what's expected from the senior players will help.

From what I saw, the fringe players will struggle to get in due to the greater depth in our side's make-up.

Spencer, Smith look likely candidates to be best 22 in our side come round 1 - the waxing and waning btw Spencer and Gawn was exciting to watch, just like at the Cats game a couple of years back. Smith just looks all class coming off half-back, but I guess at the moment it's between him and Hibberd, and for mine Hibberd wins?

Interesting with Melksham, he essentially played the 'small defender' role. For mine, Jetta is a walk up start for that gig come Round 1.

JKH and ANB were okay, but nothing amazing. They played their roles but didn't strike me as pushing towards the best side.

Lewis, Jones and Vince swapping between half-back, wing, and inside mid was really good to see. Jones on the outside was arguably the most threatening of the three for mine, but Lewis and Vince were good too.

Some don't like him, but vandenBerg is a monty to be in there come Round 1 for mine. His attack on the ball and the man is really great to watch.

Only issues for mine was how easily T Mac got lead up the ground by Cloke and that Wagner got injured, and his loss definitely hurt our structural set-up.

Looking forward to the next hit-out.

 

means nothing - just a practice match

 

 

 

 

well, someone was going to say it

-3 votes to Johannisen's haircut.

The rules for this series allow an extra three players and unlimited (?) interchange

Just cannot see how you play Spencer during the season unless he can make a position his own while resting. After so many years he has not done that.

I agree that it is great for Gawn but just cannot see how it can be done

4 minutes ago, DemonAndrew said:

We went to pieces mentally in the last five minutes of the second and fourth quarters - I think greater concentration and drilling in what's expected from the senior players will help.

From what I saw, the fringe players will struggle to get in due to the greater depth in our side's make-up.

Spencer, Smith look likely candidates to be best 22 in our side come round 1 - the waxing and waning btw Spencer and Gawn was exciting to watch, just like at the Cats game a couple of years back. Smith just looks all class coming off half-back, but I guess at the moment it's between him and Hibberd, and for mine Hibberd wins?

Interesting with Melksham, he essentially played the 'small defender' role. For mine, Jetta is a walk up start for that gig come Round 1.

JKH and ANB were okay, but nothing amazing. They played their roles but didn't strike me as pushing towards the best side.

Lewis, Jones and Vince swapping between half-back, wing, and inside mid was really good to see. Jones on the outside was arguably the most threatening of the three for mine, but Lewis and Vince were good too.

Some don't like him, but vandenBerg is a monty to be in there come Round 1 for mine. His attack on the ball and the man is really great to watch.

Only issues for mine was how easily T Mac got lead up the ground by Cloke and that Wagner got injured, and his loss definitely hurt our structural set-up.

Looking forward to the next hit-out.

 

He certainly creates varied views. I don't dislike him but today, aside from one clean handball his ball handling and execution were poor and on multiple occasions broke down scoring chain opportunities. I don't think he will make round 1. 

Edited February 18, 20178 yr by big_red_fire_engine

Love Billy stretch, always seems to make good decisions.

1 hour ago, daisycutter said:

means nothing - just a practice match

 

 

 

 

well, someone was going to say it

Agreed, I wish this was for four points, but sadly not.

Necessitaty, interest and optimism aside, bring on Rd 1 - I really want to beat those [censored]!

The dogs rucks are probably not going to dominate the universe but I loved the fact that Spencer provided a contest and gave Maxie a chop out. This preserves Max for a sustained 4 quarter performance. Plus it means Max provides a decent foil and target in the forward 50.