Review Round 8, 2019 - Western Bulldogs vs. Brisbane Lions

Who were your five best players against the Bulldogs?


  • Total voters
    114
  • Poll closed .
Oct 13, 2001
16,919
24,201
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Lions
Umpiring was awful. When Cutler got pushed in the back and kicked it 3 metres to the boundary and got pinned I lost my sh!t. Then Lloyd shoved a Lions player blatantly in the back and umps just ignored it. But the Hippy non mark on a wet day was truly bad.

I've mellowed over the years and have generally kept a check on myself when it comes to canning the umps.

But today I really struggled to keep my emotions under control. OK, so I am biased but I honestly thought that there were 4, 5 or even 6 really bad howlers that either directly resulted in Dogs goals or deprived us of the opportunity of shots on goal ourselves.

That's a huge handicap in a game that was ultimately decided by under 3 goals.
 

davemc_lions

Premiership Player
Aug 21, 2013
4,309
3,929
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
McCarthy I think was moved more to Bailey role after he did the hammy.
It is sad to think we have such a high scoring when most weeks we have 1-2 forwards who do not touch the ball.
If you look at our forwards.. Every week people say drop Cameron, Rayner and McCarthy although they been ok over the season.
Not all of them on the same day they take turns it seems :(
McStay more accurate in stats :) Although Martin/Big O between them 7.3 the same output.
I rather another smaller player in and drop either the Mc's give another rotation and the midfield been kicking a few
Hippy and McCluggage only players to score every game.

Hippy 14.13 first game was 0.1 against West Coast.
Cameron 12.13, inc one game 3 behinds (Bombers) one 1 behind (Magpies) and today nothing.. Seems a pattern.
McCarthy 10.0 although three games with 0.0
Rayner 11.10 including 1 game 1 behind and today 0
McStay 7.3 2 games 1 behind and 2 games nothing including today. Yes only 3 behinds :) no stat out on the full :) he he
Big O 4.1 and 5 games nothing not even a behind.
Martin 2.2 and 5 games nothing.

Then mids
McCluggage 10.4 only one goalless game with 2 behinds
Robbo 8.4 including one game 1 behind and 3 games zero
Berry 5.6 inc one game 2 behinds, one game 1 behind and one game zero
Zorko 4.6 2 games 2 behind 2 games 1 behind and 1 game zero.
 
May 5, 2013
2,007
2,456
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Hey, random pop-in I know. This is the first Lions game I've seen live in over a decade, but seeings the game was in my neck of the woods it was a good excuse to trot out the Fitzroy gear (and probably comment on things you guys probably already know).

I noticed this, there was a chase on the outer win in the last quarter where he looked liked he was just jogging. It didn't look good.
Well the first part of the game would have been great to watch live, good footy.
One question what was your impression of Zorks game.
Not blaming him for our loss but some of his kicks forward are speculators when it seems he has more time .
Cluggas game in the first half would of been a privilege to watch, shame the team couldn't take over when he obviously was manned on or simply spent his petrol tickets earlier.
 

Fagenslions36

All Australian
Jun 14, 2017
637
855
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Watched a good 2.5 quarters of game today we totally blew it in the second quarter could of been 6 goals infront . I watched the umpiring today and it was nothing short of disgraceful . Watched at one stage when 16 points up I think ball kicked into McLuggage and his hands were massively chopped out I think Gerard Whateley growned they never when back to it though. Then guys like Naughton doing clear pushes in back . I have never complained much about umpiring but gees it substandard across the board atm though .
 

davemc_lions

Premiership Player
Aug 21, 2013
4,309
3,929
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
He, Cameron, and Rayner need a bit of a lesson from the Richmond smalls on playing the percentages and using their athleticism to bring the ball to ground rather than trying to take mark of the year multiple times every week.
Add McStay and Hipwood to the list. Sometimes you see 3 players go up and no one front and square
 

acuguy

Norm Smith Medallist
Oct 31, 2000
7,653
4,039
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Rayner needs a month in the 2s. Footy cannot be fun for him at the moment. He is getting 7-11 touches a game and cannot catch the ball. He needs to play in the midfield in the 2s and get plenty of the footy and show his want to run defensively. It is time to reward Keays, the rest of the boys need to see that there is not an untouchable player on the list. Allison gets a run next week, he has also been playing brilliantly in the 2s and deserves a guernsey.

We threw that one away, it was a reminder that we are a young team on the rise, but still lacking depth in the midfield. Witherden is an interesting prospect, he is 3 pre seasons away from being a fit animal, as is Hipwood and Rayner. We must have high expectations, but we must also show patience.
 
Oct 13, 2001
16,919
24,201
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Lions
Watched a good 2.5 quarters of game today we totally blew it in the second quarter could of been 6 goals infront . I watched the umpiring today and it was nothing short of disgraceful . Watched at one stage when 16 points up I think ball kicked into McLuggage and his hands were massively chopped out I think Gerard Whateley growned they never when back to it though. Then guys like Naughton doing clear pushes in back . I have never complained much about umpiring but gees it substandard across the board atm though .

You mean Gerard Healy.

But yeah, I agree we really suffered from both rubbish frees against us and from non-decisions for us, which invariably led to direct scoreboard
pressure.

Apart from the obvious plain wrong calls (like the ridiculous "deliberate" against Cutts) there was glaring inconsistency with application of HTB. Bontompelli is evidently immune to the rule. I gave up counting the number of times he was spun through 360 degrees (plus) and/or given an age to dispose of the ball
As opposed to Rayner who on one occasion was half tackled still standing upright and got a legitimate handball away, only for the ump to rush in and pay HTB against him.

Also the "stacks on the mill" HTB against Stef that was plucked at a crucial stage of the game,diirectly resulting in a free and goal.

Ah well, probably sounding like a grumpy bad loser but anyone who holds the old line of Umpiring not affecting the outcome of a game is kidding themselves.
 

royboys4eva

Premiership Player
Nov 27, 2006
3,631
9,355
Melbourne - once Darwin.
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Bont was given 5 decs to get rid of the ball every time. Different rules for the champs. Don't get me started on the Dogs getting away with blatant throws. Those handballs over the head are blatant throws. Hunter does it every week.
 

davemc_lions

Premiership Player
Aug 21, 2013
4,309
3,929
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Rayner never going to be Dusty in the mid apart from haircut :) I have no problems him hanging around the forward line.
Today he had a crap day.. He normally pops up 1-2 qtrs only.
I keep him Linc and Cameron.
As said above more look at one of the Mc's to go as we too top heavy
 
Well the first part of the game would have been great to watch live, good footy.
One question what was your impression of Zorks game.
Not blaming him for our loss but some of his kicks forward are speculators when it seems he has more time .
Cluggas game in the first half would of been a privilege to watch, shame the team couldn't take over when he obviously was manned on or simply spent his petrol tickets earlier.
I agree with your call on Zorko, it seemed he felt he had less time than he had. He could've done with more poise.
Bont was given 5 decs to get rid of the ball every time. Different rules for the champs. Don't get me started on the Dogs getting away with blatant throws. Those handballs over the head are blatant throws. Hunter does it every week.
I mentioned that to one of my sons "...that used to be called a throw years ago. I guess they've changed the rule..." I guess not.
 
Oct 13, 2001
16,919
24,201
Brisbane
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Lions
Bont was given 5 decs to get rid of the ball every time. Different rules for the champs. Don't get me started on the Dogs getting away with blatant throws. Those handballs over the head are blatant throws. Hunter does it every week.

On what was on display today, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the recognized "star" players (I'm looking at you Bont) on balance, get preferential treatment in the 50/50 moments from the officials. Not saying it's a conscious thing but due more likely to the "halo" effect which tends to accompany such players.

This is more magnified, I believe when the "star"player has a high media profile or is generally considered to be a"good bloke"
 

Mr Ripper

Pink-cheeked and robust
Dec 21, 1999
16,763
24,676
Far North Fitzroy
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Fitzroy FC
Rayner needs a month in the 2s. Footy cannot be fun for him at the moment. He is getting 7-11 touches a game and cannot catch the ball. He needs to play in the midfield in the 2s and get plenty of the footy and show his want to run defensively. It is time to reward Keays, the rest of the boys need to see that there is not an untouchable player on the list. Allison gets a run next week, he has also been playing brilliantly in the 2s and deserves a guernsey.

We threw that one away, it was a reminder that we are a young team on the rise, but still lacking depth in the midfield. Witherden is an interesting prospect, he is 3 pre seasons away from being a fit animal, as is Hipwood and Rayner. We must have high expectations, but we must also show patience.
Excellent post, Nino. You too are improving with maturity.
 

royboys4eva

Premiership Player
Nov 27, 2006
3,631
9,355
Melbourne - once Darwin.
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
On what was on display today, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the recognized "star" players (I'm looking at you Bont) on balance, get preferential treatment in the 50/50 moments from the officials. Not saying it's a conscious thing but due more likely to the "halo" effect which tends to accompany such players.

This is more magnified, I believe when the "star"player has a high media profile or is generally considered to be a"good bloke"

Watch Geelong tomorrow. Ablett - Dangerfield - Selwood - you need to tackle them three times before its holding the ball and if it paid against any one of those three they abuse the umpire.
 
Sep 24, 2009
8,345
4,151
Right here
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Other Teams
Australian International Sides
Quickly becoming apparent that we can’t play both Rayner and Cameron in the forward line. They are both too mercurial and unreliable. Keays should come in for one of them. Walker comes straight back into the side and McSpray gets a rest. If Fagan can justify dropping Walker, he could easily justify dropping McSpray. He is just not damaging enough as a forward. Bastinac back in for Berry.
Witherden is slow, slow, slow and his decision making leaves much to be desired.

Prefer Walker came in for Witherden......
 
Apr 4, 2015
11,056
19,499
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
I know I'm talking champions but McKenna ,Hudson , Lockett ,Quinlan ,Dunstall , these guys would hardly ever miss . If they fluffed one from 30m out it'd be on the highlights reel because it was so unusual .

I know it's a different game now and the pressure's are different but we have 10x as many coaches,all the players are full time and the set shot for goal accuracy has gone backwards.

Just like having 3 umpires has made the umpiring more confusing.

The mental side of all this is probably a minefield but full time footballers and coaching hasn't improved the basic skill level imo.
 
Well that was …. fun.

I shall refrain completely and utterly from even mentioning the umpires … mainly because I left my effigy kit at home and that seems to be the only reasonable option there.

I liked the pressure we started and ended with - I am not sure why it can't be at least partially on at all times. Run when you feel like it and everything is going well for sure but dig deep and run when you don't feel like it and everything seems to be going to fecal matter and you will not only develop some professional and person character but you will also enhance the chances of things turning your own way. The footy gods tend not to bless the lazy and self centred.

I don't remember (there may have been one or two occasions but they have slipped from my memory) us hitting up someone in the forward 50 - we seemed to be specialising in a weird combination of kick the ball in long and high to a contest (sometimes to our advantage but that seems optional) and a complete dearth of crumbers anywhere near said contest. I may be obtuse but if I was a small forward, on a slippery night, when it is raining footballs on the heads of my tall timbered teammates … wouldn't my hunger for goals and relevance be best slaked by stalking the vicinity of said contests to collect the crumbs that fall so regularly from the botched mark table? Would that not also have the delightful side effect of making my own opposite number have to spend at least a portion of their focus on what I am doing rather than on planning their own red carpeted escape from the forward arc in which I dwell?
 
Apr 4, 2015
11,056
19,499
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Well that was …. fun.

I shall refrain completely and utterly from even mentioning the umpires … mainly because I left my effigy kit at home and that seems to be the only reasonable option there.

I liked the pressure we started and ended with - I am not sure why it can't be at least partially on at all times. Run when you feel like it and everything is going well for sure but dig deep and run when you don't feel like it and everything seems to be going to fecal matter and you will not only develop some professional and person character but you will also enhance the chances of things turning your own way. The footy gods tend not to bless the lazy and self centred.

I don't remember (there may have been one or two occasions but they have slipped from my memory) us hitting up someone in the forward 50 - we seemed to be specialising in a weird combination of kick the ball in long and high to a contest (sometimes to our advantage but that seems optional) and a complete dearth of crumbers anywhere near said contest. I may be obtuse but if I was a small forward, on a slippery night, when it is raining footballs on the heads of my tall timbered teammates … wouldn't my hunger for goals and relevance be best slaked by stalking the vicinity of said contests to collect the crumbs that fall so regularly from the botched mark table? Would that not also have the delightful side effect of making my own opposite number have to spend at least a portion of their focus on what I am doing rather than on planning their own red carpeted escape from the forward arc in which I dwell?
We chose the wrong option a lot today . When we had the chance to go long to a 1 on 1 or to no one we kept choosing the short option to a contest. This is obviously a tactic because every player did it.

If you look at some of the guys bringing it in Zorks is really sloppy lately , Cutler doesn't know whether he's Arthur or Martha and petrified to bomb it in when clearly he could , likewise McCarthy , and when we had our small forwards deep they kept wanting to fly for speccies on a day when 9 times out of 10 it's going to hit the turf .

On reflection Hipwood was fantastic today apart from his kicking .
 

lioninthesand

Norm Smith Medallist
Feb 22, 2016
6,048
12,213
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
I know I'm talking champions but McKenna ,Hudson , Lockett ,Quinlan ,Dunstall , these guys would hardly ever miss . If they fluffed one from 30m out it'd be on the highlights reel because it was so unusual .

I know it's a different game now and the pressure's are different but we have 10x as many coaches,all the players are full time and the set shot for goal accuracy has gone backwards.

Just like having 3 umpires has made the umpiring more confusing.

The mental side of all this is probably a minefield but full time footballers and coaching hasn't improved the basic skill level imo.

Its all they had to do. Players these days ade expected to be way more rounded.
 

lioninthesand

Norm Smith Medallist
Feb 22, 2016
6,048
12,213
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
What was frustrating today was the umpires took the 'less frees' mentality of the last 2 weeks into today. It was just less frees when Robbo got his legs taken out on the wing (not when the doggies got a crucial one), it was less frees every time the Dogs fell on a ball and waited for it to hatch (but not when Stef fell on the ball and got pinged), it was less frees on 3 occasions when Dogs defenders overtly hit the ball several meters to the safety of the line (but not when Cutler accidently deflected the ball of his foot running at full pelt) .. the umpiring was very inconsistant and even Dogs fans were looking at me shrugging and agreeing everytime we got rolled.
 

thedigger

Rookie
Sep 29, 2018
40
40
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
The Big O is too slow.Keays in,and no 47 Fullarton should be brought in,he is big 6foot 7 takes a good grab and is quick and can pick the ball below his knees,and he kicks goals,have been watching him the NEAFL.
Too many passenders today,we have try the young ones to see what they are made off.
 

lioninthesand

Norm Smith Medallist
Feb 22, 2016
6,048
12,213
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Yes understood.

But kicking for goal is a discipline and routine . They've got all day to practice.

Dont worry, I agree. Have you seen them warm up? they never miss - its confidence. We have the yips atm, so pressure is through the roof. We also go through phases of being this highly efficient side. frustrating.
 
Apr 4, 2015
11,056
19,499
AFL Club
Brisbane Lions
Dont worry, I agree. Have you seen them warm up? they never miss - its confidence. We have the yips atm, so pressure is through the roof. We also go through phases of being this highly efficient side. frustrating.
Yeah you can almost see some of the guys freezing before they have to take a set shot . But if you do all the hard work to deliver to someone inside 50 then they have to finish off far more consistently.

It really sapped our energy today
 
Back