Gawd it’s going to be a long 12 days 

For those saying Harmes to Smith.  Doesn't Smith mostly play as a high half forward?  Doesn't that mean Harmes would essentially be taking the spot of one of our small defenders (Rivers, Bowey or Salem)?  Can't see it happening  

Age Footy Podcast has me a wreck - the pre GF bye favours Bulldogs, Bulldogs have the momentum , Weightman and Keath back, Bulldogs a better win etc etc

🤮🤮☠️☠️🕵🏻🕵🏻

44 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

Age Footy Podcast has me a wreck - the pre GF bye favours Bulldogs, Bulldogs have the momentum , Weightman and Keath back, Bulldogs a better win etc etc

🤮🤮☠️☠️🕵🏻🕵🏻

Doggies supporters 

Unbelievably its likely to be no changes. I think of Jones and get a tear in my eye every time. He is a legend of the club.

The debate at selection will be if Hibbo is agile enough for their forwards or do we go with Hunt who is not going to be match fit. Tough call. In the end I think you go with the known quantity which means no change. Some very unlucky players who deserve a lot of credit for our development as a team. 

 

1 hour ago, deelusions from afar said:

For those saying Harmes to Smith.  Doesn't Smith mostly play as a high half forward?  Doesn't that mean Harmes would essentially be taking the spot of one of our small defenders (Rivers, Bowey or Salem)?  Can't see it happening  

Smith has been spending a lot of time between wing/half forward. so i imagine a change over would occur there, but he needs to be tightly checked because without him, they don't make it past the semi final this year. he's been huge. 

1 hour ago, Superunknown said:

Age Footy Podcast has me a wreck - the pre GF bye favours Bulldogs, Bulldogs have the momentum , Weightman and Keath back, Bulldogs a better win etc etc

🤮🤮☠️☠️🕵🏻🕵🏻

Keep it coming I say. A lot of media is hyping up the dogs given they have the bye and belief.

Thing is I think the bye suits us more as we've just been through it. We know exactly what to do to prepare and it worked incredibly well. Keep the same routine and structure. Dogs might be the ones to come out flat I reckon.

20 minutes ago, Young Blood said:

Keep it coming I say. A lot of media is hyping up the dogs given they have the bye and belief.

Thing is I think the bye suits us more as we've just been through it. We know exactly what to do to prepare and it worked incredibly well. Keep the same routine and structure. Dogs might be the ones to come out flat I reckon.

I agree - but now that our quarantine has ended, it sounds like the players can move around a bit.  Are we still at Joondalup?

I know quarantine isn't fun for anyone (and it's my MFCSS kicking in) but wouldn't you just keep all the players there together like we have the last few weeks regardless of the quarantine period finishing?

One player I'm somewhat concerned about is their JJ.  Won the Norm Smith for them and has been slowly finding form the last few weeks, highlighted by some very good moments in the PF.  We can't let him rediscover whatever it was that led him to the Norm Smith 5 years ago.

6 minutes ago, S_T said:

One player I'm somewhat concerned about is their JJ.  Won the Norm Smith for them and has been slowly finding form the last few weeks, highlighted by some very good moments in the PF.  We can't let him rediscover whatever it was that led him to the Norm Smith 5 years ago.

I don't think they will play all of Weightman, JJ and Hannan in the same forward line. Espeically with Treloar and Smith playing a high half forward with English, Shache and Naughton...Just too many forwards there. 

Bevo is not dropping Hannan and the talls are unlikely to change. Smith and Treloar have found some form playing the HHF role but have a slight adjustment to their positions. It may simply boil down to Weightman or JJ playing that one role and JJ goes to medisub.

1 hour ago, Superunknown said:

Age Footy Podcast has me a wreck - the pre GF bye favours Bulldogs, Bulldogs have the momentum , Weightman and Keath back, Bulldogs a better win etc etc

🤮🤮☠️☠️🕵🏻🕵🏻

Port were just abysmal.  Ken Hinkley decided Libba didn't need a tag and changed his mind when it got to 5 goals to zip.  The contested possession differential in Q1 was the highest ever recorded for a qtr by champion data. How stupid was Hinkley to not try and combat that from the start.  Good sides can reset. But Port panicked, and did the bees to the honeypot (ala MFC 2018), and left Treloar and Smith standing by themselves outside stoppages the rest of the night.  

I re-watched the first half of our round 11 game v dogs and think Bailey Smith will be advantage us. In R11, his lack of defence gifted us 3 first qtr goals, just because he was chasing an easy kick in our forward half rather than accounting for his direct opponent (Tracc - goal, Jordon - goal, and  Oliver - assist).  When Smith ran forward, someone from our zone picked him up (Hunt, Lever, Hibbard, or Jordon in midfield) and ensured he did not get off the leash.  Right now, I can see Smiths inflated head from Melbourne, and I'm sure he is already wondering where he will hang the norm smith.  I'm looking forward to our forward half stoppages when Smith is standing by himself hoping for an easy stat while leaving Tracc, Sparrow, or Oliver on their own.

2 hours ago, Young Blood said:

Keep it coming I say. A lot of media is hyping up the dogs given they have the bye and belief.

Thing is I think the bye suits us more as we've just been through it. We know exactly what to do to prepare and it worked incredibly well. Keep the same routine and structure. Dogs might be the ones to come out flat I reckon.

Goodwins post game talk to the players was spot on.

Jobs not done. All we've done is get the the GF.

Enjoy this moment , but The job is to win the GF.

Smart - no of the pseudo emotional messaging that the players don't need . I like Bevo and drawing on emotion is a good thing at times.

I like Goodwin's more of a "this is us",  its worked all year, lets get it done our way" 

24 minutes ago, Watson11 said:

 

I re-watched the first half of our round 11 game v dogs and think Bailey Smith will be advantage us. In R11, his lack of defence gifted us 3 first qtr goals, just because he was chasing an easy kick in our forward half rather than accounting for his direct opponent (Tracc - goal, Jordon - goal, and  Oliver - assist).  When Smith ran forward, someone from our zone picked him up (Hunt, Lever, Hibbard, or Jordon in midfield) and ensured he did not get off the leash.  Right now, I can see Smiths inflated head from Melbourne, and I'm sure he is already wondering where he will hang the norm smith.  I'm looking forward to our forward half stoppages when Smith is standing by himself hoping for an easy stat while leaving Tracc, Sparrow, or Oliver on their own.

This very thought entered my head this morning but honestly hadnt watched closely enough to know if he is accountable both ways. I just cant see him getting the space he has been allowed in the other matches. 

24 minutes ago, Watson11 said:

Port were just abysmal.  Ken Hinkley decided Libba didn't need a tag and changed his mind when it got to 5 goals to zip.  The contested possession differential in Q1 was the highest ever recorded for a qtr by champion data. How stupid was Hinkley to not try and combat that from the start.  Good sides can reset. But Port panicked, and did the bees to the honeypot (ala MFC 2018), and left Treloar and Smith standing by themselves outside stoppages the rest of the night.  

I re-watched the first half of our round 11 game v dogs and think Bailey Smith will be advantage us. In R11, his lack of defence gifted us 3 first qtr goals, just because he was chasing an easy kick in our forward half rather than accounting for his direct opponent (Tracc - goal, Jordon - goal, and  Oliver - assist).  When Smith ran forward, someone from our zone picked him up (Hunt, Lever, Hibbard, or Jordon in midfield) and ensured he did not get off the leash.  Right now, I can see Smiths inflated head from Melbourne, and I'm sure he is already wondering where he will hang the norm smith.  I'm looking forward to our forward half stoppages when Smith is standing by himself hoping for an easy stat while leaving Tracc, Sparrow, or Oliver on their own.

FACTS:

1. Doggies are awesome in attack probably #1 this year.

2. Doggies are rather poor defensively - still top 8 - but they count on time in possession and f50.

3. Dees are the best defensive team in the comp and (according to Champion Data) best ever recorded. 

4. Better defence will always beat a better forward game as its simpler to implement. 

Both games in the PF were spectacles but i dont think the GF will played in a similar way where it is mainly attack - if it is - we are in trouble. I would expect a very defensive orientated game where we will go back to applying pressure at the contest to force turnover and score on the back of that. Anything from contest/stoppage will be a bonus. The Doggies are still somewhat vulnerable defensively given their prominent attacking game-style. If we can shut down their ball movement and contest/stoppage dominance, which is just our defence in action, then it will go a long way to winning the game.

 

On 9/13/2021 at 11:08 AM, durango said:

I would make 2 changes bring in Hunt and play Rivers on the wing moving Brayshaw to the midfield and Smith 23 man with Sparrow missing out.

I see it a little differently:

• Suggest not changing player roles at this late stage; currently everyone knows what they're meant to do / where they're meant to be.
• Would keep Sparrow in for his hardness.
• The 23rd man is a hard one though, real toss-up between Jordon, Hunt and Smith (assuming neither Smith or Hunt come in for Hibberd).

3 hours ago, Robbie57 said:

Unbelievably its likely to be no changes. I think of Jones and get a tear in my eye every time. He is a legend of the club.

The debate at selection will be if Hibbo is agile enough for their forwards or do we go with Hunt who is not going to be match fit. Tough call. In the end I think you go with the known quantity which means no change. Some very unlucky players who deserve a lot of credit for our development as a team. 

 

"HIBBO'S AGILITY" BANG

Hunt has to at least be in the 23 if not 22. No to Joel Smith, I cant have the potential of another injury at the biggest game of the year. In a frantic pace laden game we need Hunt ability to break lines.HUNT only likely change for mine

Edited September 14, 20213 yr by picket fence

No changes team is settled just name a defender e.g. Hunt or Smith as medical sub to cover for May if he goes down.

Edited September 14, 20213 yr by Demonsone

4 hours ago, Superunknown said:

Age Footy Podcast has me a wreck - the pre GF bye favours Bulldogs, Bulldogs have the momentum , Weightman and Keath back, Bulldogs a better win etc etc

🤮🤮☠️☠️🕵🏻🕵🏻

What we know for sure is that No-one knows. Its all supposition. Bulldogs momentum cannot be sustained over 2 weeks and to think so is ridiculous.

Arguments each way:

In favour of Dogs - Dogs get to rest up , sore players recover, Dees become bored waiting again, ................

Against dogs  -  Dogs lose monentum, 2 weeks is mis-managed , Dees get good recovery, May is fit (AA Full back), Naughton loses sleep because May is fit, Dogs become bored too and fill in time watching the Dees prelim win and realise they can't win the GF,.....

etc.  , etc.

Apart from th above, the key issue is the quality of Burgess and medicos in tuning up the team cherry ripe, May is healthy, and they can better manage the emotional drain of a 2 week wait. 

Teh debate he is all about column inches and who can blame the media for that. They have 2 weeks to fill in too.

2 hours ago, Watson11 said:

Port were just abysmal.  Ken Hinkley decided Libba didn't need a tag and changed his mind when it got to 5 goals to zip.  The contested possession differential in Q1 was the highest ever recorded for a qtr by champion data. How stupid was Hinkley to not try and combat that from the start.  Good sides can reset. But Port panicked, and did the bees to the honeypot (ala MFC 2018), and left Treloar and Smith standing by themselves outside stoppages the rest of the night.  

Agree 100%.  Particularly when the Dogs jumped them in both their previous matches this year.

I know most coaches like to "back their system" but you have to respect the opposition.   Everyone knows Port win when they win contested ball.  But when they come up against a contested ball team, such as dogs, us, lions, they can't hack it and have no plan B.

4 hours ago, Dwight Schrute said:

Doggies supporters 

No- Collingwood (Gleeson and I think Niall) and Richmond (Wilson) and Carlton (McClure)

2 hours ago, Watson11 said:

Port were just abysmal.  Ken Hinkley decided Libba didn't need a tag and changed his mind when it got to 5 goals to zip.  The contested possession differential in Q1 was the highest ever recorded for a qtr by champion data. How stupid was Hinkley to not try and combat that from the start.  Good sides can reset. But Port panicked, and did the bees to the honeypot (ala MFC 2018), and left Treloar and Smith standing by themselves outside stoppages the rest of the night.  

I re-watched the first half of our round 11 game v dogs and think Bailey Smith will be advantage us. In R11, his lack of defence gifted us 3 first qtr goals, just because he was chasing an easy kick in our forward half rather than accounting for his direct opponent (Tracc - goal, Jordon - goal, and  Oliver - assist).  When Smith ran forward, someone from our zone picked him up (Hunt, Lever, Hibbard, or Jordon in midfield) and ensured he did not get off the leash.  Right now, I can see Smiths inflated head from Melbourne, and I'm sure he is already wondering where he will hang the norm smith.  I'm looking forward to our forward half stoppages when Smith is standing by himself hoping for an easy stat while leaving Tracc, Sparrow, or Oliver on their own.

Disagree with some of this. I think Smith runs hard all day. Against Port, he ran past 3 Port players on the wing to lay a shepherd on one of them for Treloar.

Having said that, Port were dreadful, worse than the Cats.

32 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

No- Collingwood (Gleeson and I think Niall) and Richmond (Wilson) and Carlton (McClure)

Oh phew, i was worried it might have been someone who had some idea what they were talking about. noone really knows who has an advantage with the current layout, much less 4 never played football journo's :)

I don't want BS free kicks going to Dogs in first quarter, whether they are conjured up by inexperienced or experienced Umpires trying to put their stamp on a flowing good weather spectacle of the year event.

Flowing is end to end with pace and finesse, not 14mtr passes following a throw out of a pack. 

The rules used on the day need to be clear and consistent and not suited to one and not the other. 

3 hours ago, S_T said:

One player I'm somewhat concerned about is their JJ.  Won the Norm Smith for them and has been slowly finding form the last few weeks, highlighted by some very good moments in the PF.  We can't let him rediscover whatever it was that led him to the Norm Smith 5 years ago.

Was lucky to get that Normie - Picken and a few others were far better that day.

9 hours ago, Robbie57 said:

Unbelievably its likely to be no changes. I think of Jones and get a tear in my eye every time. He is a legend of the club.

The debate at selection will be if Hibbo is agile enough for their forwards or do we go with Hunt who is not going to be match fit. Tough call. In the end I think you go with the known quantity which means no change. Some very unlucky players who deserve a lot of credit for our development as a team.

Hibberd came into the team without any match practice as well (and it showed) ... dropped 2 or 3 times this season as well

Had the perfect chance to cement his spot against weak opposition.  Didn't see it

Jones is regarded as having lost a yard, too old and the game passing him by.  Hibberd?  Similar category

By the way, I don't dislike Hibberd at all.  If he plays I hope he plays well and has an influence.  I will be barracking hard for him

But if Hunt is fit I'd have him replacing Hibberd.  And it's nothing personal, it's a GF

Edited September 14, 20213 yr by Macca