PREGAME: Rd 01 vs Western Bulldogs

[monoccular 16,013]

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Well this is now looming as a big challenge.

A win in this game, with our outs, will lift the club’s confidence in their ability to bring in depth and still win.

Winning the clearances will become even more critical than usual, as defensive rebound may not be as strong.

With queries on our defence it is even more important that we deliver cleanly and positively into the forward line. Easy rebounds could be very costly. 

[Red But Mostly Blue 3,612]

More outs than I’d like to see in rd1, but we have depth and should still account for the doggies, but it will be a pretty close game. Good to see us bringing in some of our new blood.

On this point, how can we have so many injuries before the year has started? It’s not like round 1 is a surprise. We have 6 months to get everyone good to go!? 

[Stiff Arm 4,410]

15 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

Bill Laurie’s inclusion makes Chandler and Jordon less likely to play. A bit mystifying me thinks. But my form as a selector isn’t good.

We're all archair experts, chook. No harm in that! 

At the end of the day, the FD know intimately who's cherry ripe and who's not, and we have to trust that. It's largely worked for us over the last couple of years

Hindsight will prove us all right or wrong!

[Red But Mostly Blue 3,612]

Also, geez I hope Salem gets his body right really soon, he was so out of sorts last year, I was looking to him starting fresh this year and returning to 2021 form, and he’s starting this year… injured, again?? 

[Winter Dan 425]

Will Laurie just be the sub? 

 

[brendan 3,380]

Don’t forget last year guys for the 1st 4 rounds we were without lever and petty, lever returned round 4 and petty round 5 and we were just fine, if our structures hold up then it goes a long way to winning 

plus we lost Salem round 1 aswell 

I bet our back line will look better than what it was last year on paper go check it out 

Edited March 15, 2023 by brendan

[Stiff Arm 4,410]

9 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Chandler is so far ahead of Laurie in form it should be a laydown Misere!!

Thanks Goody

[Stiff Arm 4,410]

1 minute ago, brendan said:

Don’t forget last year guys for the 1st 4 rounds we were without lever and petty, lever returned round 4 and petty round 5 and we were just fine, if our structures hold up then it goes a long way to winning 

plus we lost Salem round 1 aswell 

Words of wisdom, Brendan.

Worth noting

[Roost it far 5,979]

May goes out, can’t we play McDonald back and one of Shache or JVR forward? With the Bulldogs height I can’t see the issue. May out is a huge loss though.

[Stiff Arm 4,410]

1 minute ago, Roost it far said:

May goes out, can’t we play McDonald back and one of Shache or JVR forward? With the Bulldogs height I can’t see the issue. May out is a huge loss though.

Yep, spot on. Imo play Tmac back, McVee off the bench, as well and one of Gawn or Grundy drops back more often. Petty, Lever, Tmac and Max in the back half. Should cover the Doggies talls

Let our elite smaller backs clean up - Gus, Bowey, Rivers with Langers and Hunter helping out.

They key is midfield dominance and connection with the forwards. Whoever does this best will likely win

[monoccular 16,013]

15 minutes ago, Red But Mostly Blue said:

Also, geez I hope Salem gets his body right really soon, he was so out of sorts last year, I was looking to him starting fresh this year and returning to 2021 form, and he’s starting this year… injured, again?? 

This time it isn’t the soft tissue injury issue with Salo, and he has been back running by all accounts so maybe a warm up game or two with Casey then he should be right to go anew. 

8 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

May goes out, can’t we play McDonald back and one of Shache or JVR forward? With the Bulldogs height I can’t see the issue. May out is a huge loss though.

MCDonald is so important structurally up forward (see the debacle of second half of 2022)  I would prefer to try Scack back - could switch them if things get bad. 

[ben russell 764]

Reckon this is how we line up.
 

B: D Turner, Petty, Rivers

HB: Brayshaw, Lever, Bowey

C: Langdon, Oliver, Hunter

HF: Neal-Bullen, McDonald, Chandler

F: Pickett, Brown, Spargo

R: Gawn, Petracca, Harmes

I: Grundy, Sparrow, Laurie, McVee

Sub: Jordon

[Demonland 64,416]

[Graeme Yeats' Mullet 6,274]

24 minutes ago, Roost it far said:

May goes out, can’t we play McDonald back and one of Shache or JVR forward? With the Bulldogs height I can’t see the issue. May out is a huge loss though.

Been wondering why so little mention of JVR so far?

Genuine Q... Have I missed something? Or has his progress been slow?

I thought he was close by end of last year, and while Tmac provides a big lug target, I don't think he's a superstar... I was keen to see JVR early this season in the Tmac or BBB role

Would've thought Tmac back an option with JVR forward 

Edited March 15, 2023 by Graeme Yeats' Mullet

[Stiff Arm 4,410]

2 minutes ago, Demonland said:

How's the serenity?

[Pulp Fritschon 641]

Laurie didn't do much against the Tigers so I was surprised to hear of the news of his debut. But after I have let my thoughts settle I think it is fantastic.  He will be better for the run and R1 - what a great game for him to debut in. Lets see what he has got on the big stage. He certainly has some tricks. To me he has an odd body shape which I thought might hinder him career wise but glass half full it is not dissimilar to Gary Ablett Junior. 

Pleased to see McVee in. Looks a great mover and great kick. When you pair him with Bowey that is some neat ball users coming out of the backline. 

May is big loss but Hibberd or Turner to cover. Maybe Turner in and Hibberd the sub. 

After last years finish we needed a freshness and we certainly have that with McVee and Bowey in the backline, Hunter and Grundy and the new rotations in the mid with Rivers, ANB and Kozzie. 

It does suck after a long preseason to head into round 1 without 4 top liners. But I still think we will get the job done. 

 

[Dr. Gonzo 22,399]

2 hours ago, BDA said:

Show some faith folks. Unfortunate for May but we’ll win regardless because we are the better team. Turner to deputise with distinction. 25 point win coming up.

And good look Laurie and McVee. We’re all right behind you both.

Exactly! May, Salem, Viney, Fritsch all important/automatic players and big outs but look at who we still have in. Oliver, Petracca, Gawn, Brayshaw, Petty, Lever, Kozzie, TMac, Grundy, Langdon, Hunter. Still a formidable side to front up against.

[WalkingCivilWar 31,150]

3 hours ago, Kick_It_To_Pickett said:

There are no real secrets in footy these days. 

LOL. There are many, many real secrets, in our Club anyways. Idk about other clubs but our ‘keeping things under wraps’ game is totes on point. V successful. I heard things as far back as late last season that still aren’t publicly known. True story. 

[Deestar9 1,402]

We have heard from several different players during pre-season that they will be playing (at times) diff positions. Clarry in the Tigers game played a little at half back. The thinking behind this is of great value especially “in game” that if a player  goes down …multiple players can shift around & cover an injured player. This will be tested on Sat night …we will have 22 fit ..hungry players who if they play their roles we will win. The bulldogs have their own injury problems & their so called “tall 4 “ are just as unproven as the Grundy/ Gawn combo although I have a lot more confidence in our combo. 

[titan_uranus 22,220]

Not sure if this has already been posted, but Sam McLure’s already stuck the boots in with a snow joke and the season hasn’t even started yet.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/bombers-reshuffle-new-boss-makes-his-mark-to-defuse-football-department-tension-20230315-p5csbs.html
 

The context is that apparently the MCC expects our game to draw a lower crowd than Hawthorn v Essendon on Sunday. 

[DeeSpencer 23,060]

41 minutes ago, monoccular said:

MCDonald is so important structurally up forward (see the debacle of second half of 2022)  I would prefer to try Scack back - could switch them if things get bad. 

The back half of last year we didn’t have any options up forward without Tom. This year we’ve got JVR fitter, stronger and ready to go. Get him in 

[Ollie fan 2,116]

FWIW, I think Hibbo might be a good matchup for JUH. If Petty goes on Naughton, and one of Grawndy drops back, hopefully we’ll be ok…..

[praha 10,267]

Lobb gives me nightmares. Absolutely teared us up on the MCG last year once May went down. Dogs forward line is huge. Could hurt them as well but gee they could also tear us up down there.

[Roost it far 5,979]

Where’s it written that Laurie and McVee will debut?

[dazzledavey36 48,646]

Sone massive overreaction going on here regarding the May news.

I see this as a great challenge for us. We've been blessed with May staying fit since 2020, but now I see this as an opportunity for someone like Petty to show the competition by he should be spoken on the same level as May and Lever.

Or perhaps someone like a Daniel Turner who can come in and grab their opportunity with both hands.

Good top 4 teams still win games regardless if an individual goes down.

Richmond lost Rance to knee reco back in the early rounds of 2019 and went on to win a flag.

On the two debutants, I love it! We, including myself were desperate for fresh young talent last year to inject a bit of enthusiasm and spark into the line up. Well I'm glad to see it happen round 1 and regardless of whether Laurie deserves it or not it's a great opportunity to further improve our depth with these two now getting a taste of AFL action.

Go well lads.