Bulldog concerns

[always right]

Looking forward to round one. In recent times matches between our two teams have been rippers.

Who in our team (if anyone) do you fear the most? With Aker joining our club, opposition coaches need to make a decision between tagging him or Cooney. I recall that Rooke generally tags Cooney.

From my point of view, Ottens, Mooney, Chapman and G Ablett are our biggest dangers, particularly as Harris will be out suspended. Grant will probably pick up Ottens and young Cam Wight may pick up Mooney (big job). If Chapman plays (he is injured at the moment isn't he?) we need to decide which one Morris picks up when they play forward. Tough choice.

 

[thehoff]

Rooke will tag Cooney as usual, Ling will attempt to prevent Scotty West from gaining 55 touches and David Johnson will take Aker. Over the years, David Johnson has made Aker his biiiiatch!

 

[carn_the_cattas]

Chappy will play based on todays VFL practice match.
If Geelong go into the game with Ottens, Mooney and N.Ablett (or Hawkins), who will get who. You said Grant on Ottens, Wight or Mooney. Who will take the third tall?

 

[always right]

Chappy will play based on todays VFL practice match.
If Geelong go into the game with Ottens, Mooney and N.Ablett (or Hawkins), who will get who. You said Grant on Ottens, Wight or Mooney. Who will take the third tall?

No way will Hawkins play round one. Whover you play as your third tall will be picked up by Hargrave.

 

[Seb]

I'm not so worried about Aker. Sure, he has a point to prove, but David Johnson usually does a reasonable job on him.

I'm worried about Gilbee, Guido, Griffen, West and Johnson.

I'm not sure if Milburn has the legs to go with Johnson? Certainly Dasher seems like the perfect match up for the one on one contests, but around the ground, Johnson's pace might catch him out.

I would loved to have thrown Matty Stokes on Gilbee. Stokesy is very accountable and a sensational tackler, as well as providing excellent forward pressure. I do not want to even consider Byrnes having the job of nullifying his runs.

Griffen will probably go head-to-head with Gaz in the midfield. Although in the last 3 or so outings with the Dogs, Gaz has proven to be a handful on the lead as a small forward. As we know, he has sensational hands for a bloke his size and is very clean under pressure and on the ground. I think Thompson may play this card again.

You can't stop Westy winning the footy. Ling may have had his measure a year or two ago, but not now. Bartel, maybe Corey could have a crack at him this year.

 

[Generalissimo]

Stokes on Gilbee. Stokesy is very accountable and a sensational tackler, as well as providing excellent forward pressure. I do not want to even consider Byrnes having the job of nullifying his runs.

Djerkurra will keep him honest.

 

[carn_the_cattas]

This time we must start Scarlett on Johnno. Last we started Harley on him and left him there for 3 quaters as Johnno kicked 5.
Harley can take Darcy or whoever plays as a tall for the Dogs.

 

[grantyc77]

Bulldogs have Mcdougall now aswell, and with Rob Murphy coming back with Darcy it will make there forward line very good. I suggest, Harley on McDougall, Scarlett on Darcy and I would loce to see Callan have a crack at Johno, very honest. Matty Egan would have a good showing against Rob Murphy i would think.

 

[scottydeewah]

Rooke on Gilbee for the first quarter. He does VERY well at hurting those lighter mids.

 

[SJ]

I'm not so worried about Aker. Sure, he has a point to prove, but David Johnson usually does a reasonable job on him.

I'm worried about Gilbee, Guido, Griffen, West and Johnson.

I'm not sure if Milburn has the legs to go with Johnson? Certainly Dasher seems like the perfect match up for the one on one contests, but around the ground, Johnson's pace might catch him out.

I would loved to have thrown Matty Stokes on Gilbee. Stokesy is very accountable and a sensational tackler, as well as providing excellent forward pressure. I do not want to even consider Byrnes having the job of nullifying his runs.

Griffen will probably go head-to-head with Gaz in the midfield. Although in the last 3 or so outings with the Dogs, Gaz has proven to be a handful on the lead as a small forward. As we know, he has sensational hands for a bloke his size and is very clean under pressure and on the ground. I think Thompson may play this card again.

You can't stop Westy winning the footy. Ling may have had his measure a year or two ago, but not now. Bartel, maybe Corey could have a crack at him this year.

Well put.

 

[Partridge]

Who in our team (if anyone) do you fear the most? With Aker joining our club, opposition coaches need to make a decision between tagging him or Cooney. I recall that Rooke generally tags Cooney.

From my point of view, Ottens, Mooney, Chapman and G Ablett are our biggest dangers, particularly as Harris will be out suspended. Grant will probably pick up Ottens and young Cam Wight may pick up Mooney (big job). If Chapman plays (he is injured at the moment isn't he?) we need to decide which one Morris picks up when they play forward. Tough choice.

My biggest fear is not you guys - it's Mark Thompson. He's scared of the Dogs' running game so he shows no faith in his own team's ability. I thought the round 4 game last year was one of the worst coaching displays I've ever seen. With f**king Ling in the side that may continue.

However, if we're to win, we must:

1. Move the ball very quickly and kick long to Ottens, Mooney and Ablett.
2. Tag West with Rooke - Ling is beyond useless now.
3. Start Scarlett on Johnson. He's by far Footscray's best forward, so we have to put our best defender on him.
4. If they start running the ball down the ground - RUN AT THEM!!! Don't let them waltz the length of the field (as happened 3 times for goals in round 4).
5. We're a bigger side so slam them with tackles every chance we get. Physical pressure still matters.

 

[Tonycam*]

My biggest fear is not you guys - it's Mark Thompson. He's scared of the Dogs' running game so he shows no faith in his own team's ability. I thought the round 4 game last year was one of the worst coaching displays I've ever seen. With f**king Ling in the side that may continue.

However, if we're to win, we must:

1. Move the ball very quickly and kick long to Ottens, Mooney and Ablett.
2. Tag West with Rooke - Ling is beyond useless now.
3. Start Scarlett on Johnson. He's by far Footscray's best forward, so we have to put our best defender on him.
4. If they start running the ball down the ground - RUN AT THEM!!! Don't let them waltz the length of the field (as happened 3 times for goals in round 4).
5. We're a bigger side so slam them with tackles every chance we get. Physical pressure still matters.

Couldnt put it any better , Do you think you could send that on to Bomber , sometimes he doesnt have a idea

 

[Cats!!]

Bulldogs have Mcdougall now aswell, and with Rob Murphy coming back with Darcy it will make there forward line very good. I suggest, Harley on McDougall, Scarlett on Darcy and I would loce to see Callan have a crack at Johno, very honest. Matty Egan would have a good showing against Rob Murphy i would think.

I think it would be more likely that Egan starts on Darcy and Harley starts on Murphy! Also Hunt could play on Murphy he has done it before! Also Ling will take West, he normally does a good job. I think people just need to shut up about Ling, Thompson is putting him as a play maker when he is clearly not a play maker, and he should be played as a tager, thats where he was at his best.

 

[SJ]

My biggest fear is not you guys - it's Mark Thompson. He's scared of the Dogs' running game so he shows no faith in his own team's ability. I thought the round 4 game last year was one of the worst coaching displays I've ever seen. With f**king Ling in the side that may continue.

However, if we're to win, we must:

1. Move the ball very quickly and kick long to Ottens, Mooney and Ablett.
2. Tag West with Rooke - Ling is beyond useless now.
3. Start Scarlett on Johnson. He's by far Footscray's best forward, so we have to put our best defender on him.
4. If they start running the ball down the ground - RUN AT THEM!!! Don't let them waltz the length of the field (as happened 3 times for goals in round 4).
5. We're a bigger side so slam them with tackles every chance we get. Physical pressure still matters.

Yes yes yes!

 

[Big Nasty]

My biggest fear is not you guys - it's Mark Thompson. He's scared of the Dogs' running game so he shows no faith in his own team's ability. I thought the round 4 game last year was one of the worst coaching displays I've ever seen. With f**king Ling in the side that may continue.

However, if we're to win, we must:

1. Move the ball very quickly and kick long to Ottens, Mooney and Ablett.
2. Tag West with Rooke - Ling is beyond useless now.
3. Start Scarlett on Johnson. He's by far Footscray's best forward, so we have to put our best defender on him.
4. If they start running the ball down the ground - RUN AT THEM!!! Don't let them waltz the length of the field (as happened 3 times for goals in round 4).
5. We're a bigger side so slam them with tackles every chance we get. Physical pressure still matters.

if thompson dosen't use this strategy, then I say Patridge takes his job.

 

[Inferno]

if thompson dosen't use this strategy, then I say Patridge takes his job.

Might as well lock in Patridge for coach right now then, his gameplan is to complicated for Bomber obviously...

 

[DanA]

My biggest fear is not you guys - it's Mark Thompson. He's scared of the Dogs' running game so he shows no faith in his own team's ability. I thought the round 4 game last year was one of the worst coaching displays I've ever seen. With f**king Ling in the side that may continue.

However, if we're to win, we must:

1. Move the ball very quickly and kick long to Ottens, Mooney and Ablett.
2. Tag West with Rooke - Ling is beyond useless now.
3. Start Scarlett on Johnson. He's by far Footscray's best forward, so we have to put our best defender on him.
4. If they start running the ball down the ground - RUN AT THEM!!! Don't let them waltz the length of the field (as happened 3 times for goals in round 4).
5. We're a bigger side so slam them with tackles every chance we get. Physical pressure still matters.

I agree with most of this except I still think Ling is a good player and would have him tag west. I question Rooke's match fitness atm and would not give him such an important role.

 

[Partridge]

I think it would be more likely that Egan starts on Darcy and Harley starts on Murphy! Also Hunt could play on Murphy he has done it before! Also Ling will take West, he normally does a good job. I think people just need to shut up about Ling, Thompson is putting him as a play maker when he is clearly not a play maker, and he should be played as a tager, thats where he was at his best.

Problem is though Friday night Ling was most definitely tagging Simon Black - who is no racehorse - and got torn up. So right now even as a tagger he's not doing his job.

DanA's comment about Rooke though is pretty accurate, if he isn't quite ready then it leaves only Ling to tag West. At least last time he kept him quiet. We've gotta have a plan B if that fails though.

 

[Mofra]

Howdy,

Just a quick question regarding your forward line set-up (thought it would be better to ask here than starting a thread).

Quite a number of time last year teams would stretch us for height in their forward line. Obviously with Harris out (who normally takes the best opposition tall) this is an area Bomber could exploit, with at least Ottens, Mooney & N. Ablett noted in the "round 1 team" thread requiring a tall defender.

However, Chapman & Gablett are two of the best small forwards in the game today, and Djerkurra (apologies for seplling) has impressed everybody with his NAB Cup form.

Will you be looking to start this traditional 3 tall, 3 short forward line, or will Bomber think about throwing in a 4th tall (or a marking mid-sized player) to try and create a mis-match? Given G.Ablett could spend time in the midfield, ther may be space down there for it.

Cheers

 

[Mooney_d'King]

Howdy,

Just a quick question regarding your forward line set-up (thought it would be better to ask here than starting a thread).

Quite a number of time last year teams would stretch us for height in their forward line. Obviously with Harris out (who normally takes the best opposition tall) this is an area Bomber could exploit, with at least Ottens, Mooney & N. Ablett noted in the "round 1 team" thread requiring a tall defender.

However, Chapman & Gablett are two of the best small forwards in the game today, and Djerkurra (apologies for seplling) has impressed everybody with his NAB Cup form.

Will you be looking to start this traditional 3 tall, 3 short forward line, or will Bomber think about throwing in a 4th tall (or a marking mid-sized player) to try and create a mis-match? Given G.Ablett could spend time in the midfield, ther may be space down there for it.

Cheers

I imagine he'd be more worried about the run in the Doggies team than creating a height mismatch. We don't want four lumbering talls to watch the ball get run away from them when it falls to the ground. I'd say he'd be likely to go for the fast little blokes as backup.

 

[always right]

Thanks for the well thought out, considered responses. Nice to see a board where an opposition supporter doesn't cop abuse for asking reasonable questions

...........cue abusive morons...now!

 

[cat in sydney]

I imagine he'd be more worried about the run in the Doggies team than creating a height mismatch. We don't want four lumbering talls to watch the ball get run away from them when it falls to the ground. I'd say he'd be likely to go for the fast little blokes as backup.

I guess you take the risk. If we play talls, technically they should be able to mark the ball and shoot at goal, instead of watching it rebound back out.
Or, if we play a bunch of small quicks, do we just see a game where no-one can take a mark in the forward 50, and it gets run from one end to another all day?
Maybe throw a couple of talls down front to start, but if not making an impact, revert to a smaller forward line to play good defense in attack.

 

[thehoff]

Thanks for the well thought out, considered responses. Nice to see a board where an opposition supporter doesn't cop abuse for asking reasonable questions

...........cue abusive morons...now!

Ahhh whatever, go back to your own board - blah blah blah

I am seriously looking forward to the game. I too would love to create a height mismatch but we all know the leg speed the doggies. As previosuly suggested, we'll be too worried about the run off the backline as the Bulldogs will attempt to exploit us in that area if we go too tall. I'd like a starting forward like of:

FF: Djerkurra Ottens Chapman
HF: Gardiner Mooney Mackie

Ablett to start in the middle and N.Ablett to start on the pine rotating with Gardiner (can't beleive i have him in my team but he's been super impressive of late).

Cats by 21 points.

 

[Mofra]

Fair forward set-up, probably have a mis-match of Wight on either Ottens or Mooney, either way he's be giving up 5-10kgs.

Possible left-field option is Darcy to line up at CHB on Mooney, given comments by Eade & the practice match rotations. That would leave Wight to take Gardiner - N.Ablett might have Wight for leading speed but he is the 3rd best endurance athlete at the Bulldogs so hopeflly he can run around a little bit.

Our defensive match-ups will be interesting on the smalls - Morris & Hargrave are mid-size players who have played on talls, but both might find themselves on smalls. Possible first choice match-up (based on thehoff's choices):

G. FF: Djerkurra Ottens Chapman
WB B: McMahon Grant Morris
G HF: Gardiner Mooney Mackie
WB HB: Hargrave Wight Gilbee

Chapman is probably too dangerous to run off so Morris can shadow him, McMahon can run-off as can Gilbee, giving us two re-bounding options (expecting our talls to play tight, they'll have to).

If Mooney is cutting loose, Darcy to CHB, Wight to Gardiner (depending on whi is winning the contest) and Hargrave can go to BP, freeing up McMahon for a mid-field role.

 

[DanA]

Fair forward set-up, probably have a mis-match of Wight on either Ottens or Mooney, either way he's be giving up 5-10kgs.

Possible left-field option is Darcy to line up at CHB on Mooney, given comments by Eade & the practice match rotations. That would leave Wight to take Gardiner - N.Ablett might have Wight for leading speed but he is the 3rd best endurance athlete at the Bulldogs so hopeflly he can run around a little bit.

Our defensive match-ups will be interesting on the smalls - Morris & Hargrave are mid-size players who have played on talls, but both might find themselves on smalls. Possible first choice match-up (based on thehoff's choices):

G. FF: Djerkurra Ottens Chapman
WB B: McMahon Grant Morris
G HF: Gardiner Mooney Mackie
WB HB: Hargrave Wight Gilbee

Chapman is probably too dangerous to run off so Morris can shadow him, McMahon can run-off as can Gilbee, giving us two re-bounding options (expecting our talls to play tight, they'll have to).

If Mooney is cutting loose, Darcy to CHB, Wight to Gardiner (depending on whi is winning the contest) and Hargrave can go to BP, freeing up McMahon for a mid-field role.

If Gilbee was on Mackie I would definately draw Gilbee up the gound. If he decides to play loose man I would move Rooke back their to play on him and keep Mackie on the wing.