binman

I was basing that comment on how rubbish daniher is. Twice we played them and he had zero impact in either

I do. But each to their own I went, and watched the replay for good measure, and thought he was super impressive. In my opinion comfortably ahead of Tomlinson at this point. Easy to forget he played in a semi final and would have almost certainly played in a prelim and grand final if not for his hammy nick

Total bollocks. In fact Smith's flexibility is one reason 'they love' Smith. He could have taken any of their forwards - tall, medium or small. Hell, he would have thrashed Daniher. As an example of his flexibility, he didn't take a small or medium against the Roos in the practice match. he played as key defender and thrashed Zuhar, who was playing as a key forward.

Hello hibbo

Agree on all of the above. But leaving aside whether Smith or Tom comes in for Petty, i reckon Petty will come straight back into the side when fit and available (perhaps after one or tow games at Casey). Who knows how that might factor into the decision about who comes in round one for Petty. But the advantage Smith has over Tommo is that he can also play Hibberd's and River's role.

You're right, I'm sure tomo can play a more aggressive, intercept role. But in my opinion he is in the same position as last preseason where he is in a battle for the third key defender slot. Last season the battle was with Petty, and he won it. This season the battle is with Smith. And he may well win it again. But if it was a boxing match, based on yesterday Smith is ahead on points. Next weeks game against the blues may well decide the bout.

Agree with the first two paras. On the last, I think the answer is yes. Or at least as much licence to zone off and intercept as petty has. Which is a fair bit.

Why is it Tomo's spot to lose? He is not the incumbent. And as I have noted before Petty played a different role than Tomlinson. More aggressive. Less man on man. More zoning off and more intercepts It was noticeable at tbe ground tomo has slimmed down and I think that is so he can better play the role the way petty played. I very much doubt Goody will allow sentiment to cloud his selection decisions. And nor should he They both trialled for the Petty position yesterday. Smith played better. Moe athletic more intercepts, more run and more spoils. And with his leap, he has a weapon that tomo doesn't have, or any other defender for that matter. And it is worth remembering Smith would be a premiership player if not for an ill timed hammy injury, albeit at half back not key defender. So there is no doubt Goody rates him.

Why? He played the lever/petty role today role today and had a better game than Tomlinson l

Maybe. Though he looked good today. But Smith is more suited to Petty’s role with his ability to zone off, spoliation and take intetcept marks. Smith was dynamic today

I have little doubt that in the first instance Smith will come in for petty. Not sure where that leaves thommo

An interesting part of our preparation last season was that we played an almost full strength team in the corresponding practice match against the tigers (which we won, just). And we seemed to approach that game like a serious hit out. In the actual preseason game against the dogs we rested key players and played Jordon and i think from memory Bowey.

Ta. Just turned on kayo. Fair crowd Bulldogs by 11 near end of third

Agree on all of the above. I'd add that i suspect in the last couple of years people have got used to watching games at home and some people may have fallen out of the habit of going to games. I think as result crowds will be down across the board all season. All part of the new normal. I'm thinking we will do well to crack 50k.

Yep, agree.

How ironic. West coke have to sack a player for REFUSING an injection

47, 644

Coaches votes stylee Harris 10 Paxman 7 L Pearce 6 D Pearce 6 Bannon 6 Brownlow stylee Harris 3 Paxman 2 L Pearce 1

Ta. I thought it was Friday. Good thing you posted this!

Yep, a very good comparison. Sean is one of my all time favorite players and i love Goldy for many of the same reasons.

Absolutely. She has a height and reach advantage over many of her opponents, but as you say it is her natural marking skills (eg use of the body, reading the flight of the ball, aggression. marking technique, smarts etc etc) that means she is on another level. And becuase she is on another level we get other benefits, even when she doesn't make it. Opposition temas are too focused on her, as is often the case with such key players - but it means their defensive system is often out of shape. Westy's goal was good example - three Lions players up to spoil Harris and no one the ground. She draws frees too, as often opposition players panic in their attempts to stop her. I went to the Dogs game and was a bit critical of her second efforts. But she has improved immensely since then in that regard, no doubt because she has got fitter in the last few weeks. Taylah was the difference last night - there is simply no way we win that game if she is not in the side. With scores being comparatively low, one player can make a bigger difference in terms of influencing a result than is the case in the AFL. Which as you correctly note, means she could well be the difference at the pointy end of the season.

To be fair, the same could be said of the AFL

Agree on bolded bit (and the rest actually). She is such a clever footballer - exhibit A was her decision to play on immediately after marking about 45 out, running to 30 and kicking the goal. She would never have made it from 45 and gave them no time to cover the line. Also loved how she kept running towards goal on the off chance the ball stopped before crossing the line. That is a smart footy brain at work Speaking of smart, it was a good move putting her forward i thought as she is natural footballer, like Tayla, and as such reads the ball in flight super well, which gives her a big advantage over lots of defenders, many of who it seems me struggle one on one against such players. Libby Birch stands out becuase she is one defender that reads the ball so well. I'm starting to think she is up there in our top 2-3 most important players.

She is such a fantastic player to watch. What she lacks in skills and finesse she makes up 10 fold with her intensity and attack on the ball. In that sense she reminds me a lot of Viney. And she reads the play so well and times her attack her on the ball and when to zone off brilliantly. I'm guessing that is part natural ability but also large part her experience of playing Gaelic footy all her life and playing that sport at the elite level. I wonder if that that is perhaps the most transferable skill from Gaelic footy? I also wonder if Goldy playing further up the ground might negate that skill a bit as at half back she has more time to watch the ball coming at her.

A super enjoyable game to watch. The skills were great, in large part because of the brilliant conditions and surface A good example of my point about the need to play all the AFLW games on AFL standard grounds with stands to provide protection from the wind.