PREGAME: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

[Demonland 70,280]

My optimism for the season trying to knock out my MFCSS

[DubDee 24,397]

6 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Do we have depth? Tomlinson hasn't been able to win a contest since his knee injury, anyone who saw him play v the Saints wouldn't be picking him.

Disco is a good young prospect but he's best suited filling in for Petty or Lever rather than being tasked to take someone like Lobb or Naughton. His best footy is up the ground intercepting rather than being isolated on bigger and stronger talls.

I don't want to weaken the forward line but with the rucks and BBB we have avenues to goal and height up forward. The 2nd key forward role is more supportive so I'm ok with JVR in that role. Fritsch is a loss regardless but one we'd like to be able to cover with Chandler and a rotation of Tracc/Pickett. 

I think our depth down back is pretty good: Turner, Tomlinson, Smith, Schache (played there for dogs). If we weren't playing the tall dogs someone like Hibbo could have come in. We can't have gun defenders sitting in casey so losing a guy like May will always be a big blow

We need an in form T Mac kicking goals this year and shouldn't move him imo

[AzzKikA 2,371]

38 minutes ago, DeelightfulPlay said:

Good God, did somebody kick a leprechaun in the past few days?  Not Maysie!!!

I knew I shouldn't have got that membership

[AzzKikA 2,371]

13 minutes ago, Demonland said:

My optimism for the season trying to knock out my MFCSS

Know how you feel Andy

[Demonland 70,280]

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,283]

I'd say if May doesn't get up they will go Turner as the replacement. Petty will take May's role and Turner will play in Petty's role.

Gawn to play more behind the ball as opposed to forward.

[Roger Mellie 3,877]

35 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Yep I was going to say the same, that's Jay Z just taking a guess. McDonald back and JVR in at CHF for me.

Or Schache for a bit more cover in defense if needed

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Just now, Roger Mellie said:

Or Schache for a bit more cover in defense if needed

Rather Turner as suggested with Max going down back more. Turner brings more to the table than Schache

[Demonland 70,280]

Dees fans checking web MD to see if a calf injury can be cured in 3 days

[DubDee 24,397]

Dogs have a few injuries although nothing too significant.  We might be able to rebound well against them, 4 talls and very few small fwds. Young Jones kicked a couple in preseason and looked pretty good.

 

A double blow to the Dogs' small forward stocks ahead of round one with Weightman and Jones both ruled out of the season-opener, and potentially longer, due to groin injuries. O'Brien has suffered another hamstring injury and will be sidelined for at least another month. Gardner is set to miss at least the first three or four weeks after undergoing elbow surgery following an incident in the intraclub in Ballarat. Vandermeer fractured his leg just before then and will miss the first quarter of the season.

[DeelightfulPlay 2,504]

11 minutes ago, AzzKikA said:

I knew I shouldn't have got that membership

You and me both!  I shouldn't have changed my mind and arranged to visit Melb for Round 1!

[AzzKikA 2,371]

Dress fans finding out in most cases it can't

That's was a reply to Andy's last post lol

Edited March 15, 2023 by AzzKikA

[layzie 32,860]

I'd say Turner will be the standby. Schache's chances did just go up though as he could potentially go both ends. 

[DistrACTION Jackson 8,283]

I expect the club to say 'we expect May to be fit for Saturday night', only to make a late withdrawal an hour before the game

[640MD 3,321]

Some of you lot are full of hot air. I was thinking BGB but that’s not politically correct these days.

ideal to have best forward and best back man out.  No definite No. 

but we should won the rucks and centre

so should have the ball in our end 2/3rds of the time.  More than enough to win this game, going away on the last!

[AzzKikA 2,371]

I am praying that they are playing funny buggers, maybe trying to entice the Bulldogs to play their 4 talls so we can rip them apart on The Rebound. Wishful thinking?

[Kick_It_To_Pickett 3,291]

38 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

MFCSS kicking in here. If we’re missing those 4 well struggle to win this opening match. Viney and Salem less of an impact, but Fritsch and May are big losses. That’s our best defender and best forward out. Disco Turner in? Might not have the size yet to handle those big talls of the dogs. Tomlinson in?

Absolutely no way to Tomlinson. He has completely lost it. He gets monstered by VFL players 

[Diamond_Jim 12,359]

Makes you wonder why JVR was not played at senior level in the practice games given the Fritsch concerns. (one quarter I think he got against the Saints)  Same could be said of Schache

[Demonland 70,280]

 

[Demonland 70,280]

8 minutes ago, Action Jackson said:

I expect the club to say 'we expect May to be fit for Saturday night', only to make a late withdrawal an hour before the game

May as well keep the Bulldogs guessing

[WalkingCivilWar 39,263]

If it’s any consolation I can say that Fritta was (quote) “soooooo close” to getting up. Not saying that means defs up for round 2, but it bodes well.

Seems this season will be very different in terms of NOT playing anyone who’s anything less than 100% right. 

Edited March 15, 2023 by WalkingCivilWar

[titan_uranus 24,626]

If May misses it can’t/won’t be Smith replacing him. He hasn’t had a full pre-season, and hasn’t he been training forward?

Tomlinson or Turner should be the replacement, they are key defenders and whilst neither holds a candle to May, the point of having key defenders as depth is to call on them when a first choice defender misses. 

Will be a massive test to beat a fellow top 4 contender with May joining Viney, Fritsch and Salem on the sidelines. That’s a lot of talent out. 

[layzie 32,860]

Just now, WalkingCivilWar said:

If it’s any consolation I can say that Fritta was (quote) “soooooo close” to getting up. Not saying that means defs up for round 2, but it bodes well. 

I'd be pretty confident, another 6 days should slam dunk it. 

[Jaded No More 67,659]

Turner will be next in line surely.

Petty to FB, Turner CHB and Lever third man up.

Will Hibbo get a call up as he can play "taller" than he actually is?

Either way, nobody is May. It's like trying to replace Oliver. Can't be done.

[Jaded No More 67,659]

5 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

 

Seems this season will be very different in terms of NOT playing anyone who’s anything less than 100% right. 

At least we've learnt our lesson. Don't burn your playing list in Round 1.