6 hours ago, bing181 said:

For starters, they play completely different roles. If you're talking either/or, then it's TMac for May, perhaps Turner. The closest we have to Lever (intercept defender) would be Howes.

Funny how the only player to come into the side when TMac was dropped was Lever.

7 hours ago, bing181 said:

For starters, they play completely different roles. If you're talking either/or, then it's TMac for May, perhaps Turner. The closest we have to Lever (intercept defender) would be Howes.

Turner plays Levers role better than Lever.

8 hours ago, At Least I Saw a Flag said:

Reckless, serious injury to head ...

Has to be at least 3 weeks.

Try 4/6 Dog act!

2 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Can’t believe people are still defending Xerri on radio this morning. I think they all need to watch the vision again. Ball was low and he wasn’t even looking at the ball when he took that wild swing.

Not saying he wanted to knock Sparrow out, but when you lash out like that you need to be held accountable for your actions, it’s pretty simple really.

Max looked like he didn’t even want to shake hands with Xerri, it was the briefest of handshakes you’ll ever see after the game.

It was similar to the Nash hit on Miers and Nash got 4 weeks.

10 hours ago, BoBo said:

Xerri just did a coat hanger, pretty clear and simple. If you’re going for the ball, you’ll turn your head or body, toward the ball.

Xerri keeps his head dead straight and just swings the arm out.

And his arm was miles from the ball

Nothing about the corrupt and inconsistent MRO/Tribunal surprises me anymore, but if Kozzie got 3 weeks for what was arguably at least partly due to his opponent's actions, how on earth could Xerri not get more?

Concussion outcome = 3 weeks.

Given Tom was knocked out, it could easily be 4.

I’m preparing myself for Xerri to get 1-2 weeks—if anything. It’s pretty clear at this point that logic and consistency don’t exist at AFL HQ.

Edited July 13Jul 13 by The Cult of Disco Turner

13 hours ago, old dee said:

Today I went to particularly watch 2 players. Lever and Jefferson.

Lever played his worst game I have watched since his arrival. Why we have been playing him instead of TMac the last few weeks is dumb founding. If May is back next week we should drop lever and keep Tmac.

At Half time I was unimpressed with Jefferson. Time after time he was just not in the play

Quite often had his back to the play, looked to be somewhere else. The second half was much better. He all of a sudden looked interested. Could easily have kicked 3 goals. One was a tight one from 40 metres out. He still looks to skinny to me. He was manavoured out of position a few time and edged under the ball. No weight or power to hold his position. Having said all that he deserves a game next week there were others who played worse games. Speaking of worse games I am not sure who was the worse in the backline Turner or Lever.

Of the two I concentrated on Lever poor, Jefferson a pass this week.

I went with a neutral mate who commented that Jeffo looks like one of those inflatable figures that you see out the front of used car sales lots

That’ll kill any hope has of Xerri getting an AA, you’d think? Who else could take Max’s 8th AA?

12 hours ago, The heart beats true said:

The Whitten Oval development is so good. I sometimes go and have brunch at the Alfa cafe that’s in the facility during the week and I can see various Bulldogs teams training out on the ground.

It’s really made me realise the value of a training facility and its connection to community to develop culture. I imagine how good it is for the Dogs players to live in Yarraville, Williamstown or even Port Melbourne and be at the club in 10 minutes. They’ve created a pretty appealing lifestyle to sell. We seem a long way off in that department.

You can tour their facilities as part of the Open House weekend on 26-27 July.

https://openhousemelbourne.org/event/mission-whitten-oval-western-bulldogs-football-club/

Got to watch the replay late last night.

TMAC - what stands out for me is that the bloke can actually straight. The value of having good disposers in our side is just so critical. He's steady as a rock and should never have been dropped.

Our defence - keep TMAC in, move disco forward with JVR and Jeffo. Send Petty back. Give Lever and May a rest. It could work really well.

Our goal kicking - was better. But there were three oofs in that total from set shots and we still missed sitters. I wouldn't be overly satisfied with our goal kicking but it was better.

And yep as others have mentioned, our ball movement and disposal is still off chops.

Our intent - won us the game. It was fantastic to watch Tracc, Viney, Oliver, Pickett and of course Max grit their teeth halfway through the third and grind out a solid win. Pressure is everything.

Jeffo and JVR - we just have to persist for the rest of the season now and see if they can find confidence and a groove. Leave JVR forward as much as possible. I still don't understand how JVR ends up under the ball so much? Can someone who can get to the games shed some light? Surely if he's leading hard you kick it out in front of him. Is our field kicking letting him down or is it his leading patterns or both?

Lindsay looks cooked now, Windsor just needs a game or two. Langford is a gem, he also looked cooked for 2 or 3 games back, but he seems to have gotten a second wind. He's a gem.

Xerri - swinging stiff arm to the jaw with the ball nowhere near tells it all. The slow motion footage is damming. 4 weeks at least. And yes our club is completely placid. The players looked shocked and the club should come out hard this week for all of the players and Tom's family. Melksham almost got very seriously injured earlier in the game with a hard hip to the head. Not even a free kick and the commentators just said it was accidental. It was still high and reckless. Petty's concussion the other week was blamed on Petty for poor technique. Wtf you tend to lead with the head when you're going for the ball.

And yep. Dragged my wonderful wife down to the MCG from the northern Rivers to watch that fateful final. A horrible night. No respect for a fair and courageous club champion. No respect after the game with abusive pies supporters screaming at Melbourne fans AFTER THEY WON! Just filth.

My love of footy at the AFL level was broken that night. I probably won't attend many more AFL matches in my lifetime. I'd rather have a nice day out watching a good suburban game.

@Ghostwriter please send our love and thoughts to Tom and his family this week if you can. Hope our club comes out strong this week for us all.

I'm not holding my breath though.

Go Dees

6 minutes ago, Superunknown said:

That’ll kill any hope has of Xerri getting an AA, you’d think? Who else could take Max’s 8th AA?

Edited July 14Jul 14 by layzie

In which parallel universe does Clarko think Xerri was attempting to tackle Spaz? It was a straight up clothesline. He wasn't even looking at the ball or the player.

11 hours ago, layzie said:

My love for the sport was on the wane before that but that night and subsequent week after nuked anything I had left for taking the AFL seriously.

I hardly watch any games other than ours now. I used to watch most Thurs and Fri might games now barely any. I was part of a weekly footy podcast that recapped the round's action but now the thought of watching more than 2 or 3 games a weekend seems like a headache.

The passion for the game at the highest level isn't there now.

You are not alone, I seldom watch a non MFC game any longer. My spirit died a few months later when he was forced to retire.

58 minutes ago, D Rev said:

I went with a neutral mate who commented that Jeffo looks like one of those inflatable figures that you see out the front of used car sales lots

I wish I had thought of that. A very good description. He doesn't look like an Aussie rules player.

14 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Xerri shouldn’t have even played today and the Sparrow incident would’ve been avoided.

Last week against the Dogs in the last quarter, he looked like a punch drunk boxer as he stumbled on his feet after a head contact incident. Basically every player who’s been unsteady on their feet after a head knock over the last couple of years has entered concussion protocols- no ifs, buts or maybes.

Disappointing IMO.

Interesting to know BBP.because of the Collingwood incident I seldom watch non MFC games now. I did watch the first half of blues game on the weekend. The AFL are all talk and little action when it comes to protecting the head IMO it is all about looking to do the correct things for future legal cases.

3 hours ago, SPC said:

Turner plays Levers role better than Lever.

Yes at present I feel the opposition would like a May / Tmac / Turner combo the least. I think that forms a strong defensive unit.

If Petty and Mayh are avialable this week, thats a real selection headache.

and agree with most we have to play Jefferson.

24 minutes ago, old dee said:

You are not alone, I seldom watch a non MFC game any longer. My spirit died a few months later when he was forced to retire.

Im pretty ambivalent about going to watch myself. Im still outraged by that mindless thug Maynard and the Collingwood chant, vomitous but typical of that feral clubs supporter base.

13 hours ago, Ghostwriter said:

Spaz’s mum was on the other side of the ground and wasn’t sure what had happened. One of our DA members is good friends with her and was on the phone trying to explain, such a hard thing to hear because you just knew she’d be frantic and sure enough she was very distraught. I can’t imagine how it must feel to see your child in such a state.

As a parent and grandparent I cannot imagine either GW. I felt horrible. He was just lieing there not a movement. I had a serious injury at the age of 19 that end my footy playing days ( not head). My mother would never go to games for fear of seeing something happen. Even though I love the game I am glad none of my offspring had any desire to play football. It's a tough dangerous game

Observations from yesterday against the kangas. I watch from high ion the stands near the wing.

The longer they take to line up a kick for goal from a mark or free kick is almost directly proportional to the chances that they will miss. The 30 second wait is a pox on our great game.

Watching Maxie, Tracca and Viney stuff up the ball from a ruck contest early in 2Q that we won was laughable. Trying too hard to be cute.

Too many of our direct passes are intercepted and too many passes to free players in space end up being contested because the pass is too long or not to the player's advantage. (Langford's pass to Melksham is a notable exception but then HL is exceptional).

Not enough players lead to the ball - standing still and waving is not a lead.

Ed Langdon is wingman of rare quality who runs up and down all day - why are we wasting his talent by playing him away from the wing? By the way, so is Windsor but he is wasted in the backline. (I know there is a guy named Langford, but surely our coaches can work out a way to include all three).

Am I correct that the Robert Flower Wing sign is now part of the illuminated advertising on the face of the member's? If yes, then it is only right for Robbie who lit up the whole ground when playing.

14 hours ago, Dee-tonator said:

Luckily he wasn't 15 metres out directly in front of goal.

I said to the guy next to me ( north fan ) big chance he will kick this 20 metres out! Close your eyes.

1 hour ago, Superunknown said:

Who else could take Max’s 8th AA?

There is nobody more deserving than Max, with or without Xerri likely missing a chunk of games thru suspension.

Grundy has been good, but Gawn is currently averaging:

20.4 disposals
5.6 clearances
36 hitouts
9.6 hitouts to advantage
13.7 contested possessions
47% hitout win percentage
2.2 contested marks a game

All of those stats are above average or elite

Grundy averages less disposals, less contested possessions, and far far fewer contested marks (0.5 per game!)

Xerri also averages less disposals, but more clearances at 7.1, but again only 0.5 contested marks per game!

Anyone who makes the argument that Gawn isn't the most complete ruckman in the game, is kidding themselves. And he blows anyone out of the water for consistency and leadership.

It would be daylight robbery if he doesn't get his 8th AA jacket.

17 hours ago, binman said:

I don't think it was intentional either but i think collectively the sport needs to get its act together in what is ok on the field.

Reckless seems to be considered not such a big deal. Acccidental adjacent. Sure give him a few weeks, but it's not as if he meant it, yada yada yada.

Mooney's response in commentary was that sort of vibe. He'll get weeks, but geez he's a bit unlucky. A football act.

But reckless is a not accidental. And its not unlucky.

It is defined as 'acting without regard for potential consequences or dangers, often characterized by carelessness and a lack of caution.'

And that exactly describes Xerri's action.

The ball was at Sparrow's feet when he was struck. Xerri got nowhere the ball. And in doing so he showed no regard to the potential consequences of swimg on a closed fist in the vicinity of an opponents head.

And dees fans know full well how serious the consequences can be.

Tragically so do Pies and Eagles fans who have seen players in their team also have to retire because of concussion in the last two years.

We'll never eliminate the risk of concussion from footy, but if the AFL is serious about minimising the risk of an injury we know can cause LIFELONG damage then they need to get serious about penalising acts that show zero regard for potential consequences.

Four weeks is a total joke for that hit. Change it to six minimum and players might think twice before swinging a clenched in a way that could conceivably result in a player being struck to the head.

Binman you get 4 weeks for name calling but that concussion causing act is a footy incident oh please. I am not having a go at you. The FL will be shown up once again. Any less than a multi week suspension will show how society issues drives them more than player long health issues.

1 hour ago, D Rev said:

I went with a neutral mate who commented that Jeffo looks like one of those inflatable figures that you see out the front of used car sales lots

Give him a bit of credit, he was better this week presented to the contest and wasn't outmarked as much.

I know it was only Norf.