Changes v Adelaide, 20/5

[House_of_Dahl]

This week against Thilthorpe, Fogarty and Walker isn't it. All three are too big for O'Brien.

Plot twist, O'Donnell has been brought to be the extra tall defender for this game all along, and last week was just some wierd Bevo hoodoo thing.

 

[goodcop badcop]

I think we'll need extra speed and defensive pressure to stop Adelaide. McNeil comes in for O'Donnell. Cleary sub.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I would rather not go in top-heavy against Crom in Ballarat. McNeil in, JOD out, Cleary/McComb/West sub.

 

[MaxiBont]

I have a feeling this game could dictate how the season goes. Crows are looking decent and we usually find a way to make a good start pretty average by the end of the season. If we go 7-3 with 7/8 wins in the last 8 that would make me feel like we have a decent shot at Top 4. I agree that McNeil should come in, he has looked decently impressive when he has gotten a chance. I really hope we get up, 2pm game means it could have the potential to make or ruin the weekend.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

The team looks pretty settled at present. From Saturday's team of 23 the only players that are not automatic selections are

Obviously O'Donnell plus Gardiner, McNeill, Scott although played well against the blues, Dureya, and Baker but his form has been pretty good.

Arty is now a lock.

So with all available Treloar is probably the only one certain to be in the best 22.

 

[Sentinel]

Hope JOD isn't ommitted. On balance he probably shouldn't be selected, but it's no good bringing someone in like that and dropping them the next week.

He showed signs and should be given at least one more week IMO. The selectors have made their bed.

 

[lachy]

Hope JOD isn't ommitted. On balance he probably shouldn't be selected, but it's no good bringing someone in like that and dropping them the next week.

He showed signs and should be given at least one more week IMO. The selectors have made their bed.

Given no one put their hands up to push him out, tend to agree. Though with the conditions in Ballarat I could see McNeil coming into the 22

 

[Next Waiting]

Hope JOD isn't ommitted. On balance he probably shouldn't be selected, but it's no good bringing someone in like that and dropping them the next week.

He showed signs and should be given at least one more week IMO. The selectors have made their bed.

I don't really see it like that and I wouldn't characterise it as a dropping/omission in the traditional sense. If the objective is/was to blood/expose him at/to the level without risking too much then they've achieved their objective. JOD has a taste of it and for it now, and it was winning one. Mission accomplished.

A solid block of games in the magoos with clear objectives and expectations in areas he needs to develop seems an ideal follow up with the door being open to a return later in the season if form and fitness allow or we suffer an injury to a similar player.

McSteal and his astonishing winning percentage and the likely weather conditions seem like a lay down misere for the 22. Buku perhaps gets his chance as sub although I do like Cleary but there are no half back berths available.

 

[Freshwater]

The team looks pretty settled at present. From Saturday's team of 23 the only players that are not automatic selections are

Obviously O'Donnell plus Gardiner, McNeill, Scott although played well against the blues, Dureya, and Baker but his form has been pretty good.

Arty is now a lock.

So with all available Treloar is probably the only one certain to be in the best 22.

Scott is a lock at the moment. He was good and clean in the wet in Canberra 2 weeks ago, and excellent last week. A very good rôle player. Dependable, which is a very good trait, something Hannan, for example, is not, with his pressure, second efforts and footy iq.

 

[dogwatch]

Hope JOD isn't ommitted. On balance he probably shouldn't be selected, but it's no good bringing someone in like that and dropping them the next week.

He showed signs and should be given at least one more week IMO. The selectors have made their bed.

I don't really see it like that and I wouldn't characterise it as a dropping/omission in the traditional sense. If the objective is/was to blood/expose him at/to the level without risking too much then they've achieved their objective. JOD has a taste of it and for it now, and it was winning one. Mission accomplished.

A solid block of games in the magoos with clear objectives and expectations in areas he needs to develop seems an ideal follow up with the door being open to a return later in the season if form and fitness allow or we suffer an injury to a similar player.

McSteal and his astonishing winning percentage and the likely weather conditions seem like a lay down misere for the 22. Buku perhaps gets his chance as sub although I do like Cleary but there are no half back berths available.

Both valid points. If the plan was to give him a quick taste of top level footy even though he was not quite ready, and also to provide cover for a sneaky move of Lobb to the wing then by rights MC should have squared with him before the game. That is, tell him he was only likely to get a one-game stint in the seniors this time around.

A further problem is that if he is not picked this week then he doesn't get a game at all because the twos have a bye. Of course that's an issue for McNeil as well and it could be argued that his is the greater need as he has only played one full game out of his last 3 or 4.

I'm inclined to think JOD stays in, even if it's only as the sub. McNeil to start in the 22.

 

[dergert]

Bevo pretty much confirmed JOD will stay in the side.

 

[dergert]

Bevo pretty much confirmed JOD will stay in the side.

In today's presser that is

 

[Next Waiting]

Both valid points. If the plan was to give him a quick taste of top level footy even though he was not quite ready, and also to provide cover for a sneaky move of Lobb to the wing then by rights MC should have squared with him before the game. That is, tell him he was only likely to get a one-game stint in the seniors this time around.

A further problem is that if he is not picked this week then he doesn't get a game at all because the twos have a bye. Of course that's an issue for McNeil as well and it could be argued that his is the greater need as he has only played one full game out of his last 3 or 4.

I'm inclined to think JOD stays in, even if it's only as the sub. McNeil to start in the 22.

Yes, JOD as a sub would seem like a possibility too given that reasoning. It seems that sub is where the action will be as I have McSteal as $1.10 favourite to make the 22.

 

[Next Waiting]

Yes, JOD as a sub would seem like a possibility too given that reasoning. It seems that sub is where the action will be as I have McSteal as $1.10 favourite to make the 22.

Watching the presser it looks like I'm gonna do m' dough....again

 

[dogwatch]

Watching the presser it looks like I'm gonna do m' dough....again

Gamble responsibly. Chances are you'll lose.

 

[_Cerberus_]

Honestly, I am more worried about the Crows smalls than their talls. And given the wet and likely slow conditions, I rather drop one of our slower talls than an atheltic and mobile one. I feel Lobb being pushed deeper into the midfield and at times defence, as well as English being back their at times, could be a sign of a tactical alteration we may see stick around for a little longer. Will not be the kind of conditions that will suit Keath / Lobb.

Doc, Richards will have their hands full manning up more than usual, so I would bring in Cleary, to give us another rebounding option should Doc and Richards be forced to work over time. Cleary played well on a poor as team last weekend, and used the ball decently in average conditions. He would be used to the weather predicted for the weekend coming.

 

[1972championsofaust]

Laird was just walking the boundary at training today,didn’t participate in any drills at all?
Precautionary or Tactical!

 

[Doggy]

Adelaide haven't actually played away from home that much .. 3 times, and they lost 2 and Hawthorn should have made it 3.

Weather is meant to be cold, windy and wet. I'd be surprised if they could move the ball fast

 

[_Cerberus_]

THE WESTERN Bulldogs have their sights set on a rare top-four finish, and it could come with Rory Lobb

7

Rory Lobb

Age

32

Ht

207cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.0

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.4

4star

MG

174.6

3star

D

11.3

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

MG

228.6

3star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.8

5star

MG

133.0

3star

causing headaches on the wing.


The Bulldogs have won six of their past seven games to rocket to sixth on the ladder, but their hot streak will be put to the test on Saturday when they host the resurgent Adelaide in Ballarat.


Lobb has endured a slow start to his life at the Bulldogs, with the former Fremantle and GWS spearhead booting just 10 goals across his first eight matches.


With Aaron Naughton

33

Aaron Naughton

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.7

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.7

3star

M

4.9

5star

T

1.8

4star

G

0.8

4star

D

6.3

1star

K

4.0

1star

HB

2.3

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

0.8

1star

G

0.5

4star

D

12.8

4star

K

8.8

4star

HB

4.0

3star

M

4.8

5star

T

1.2

3star

G

0.0

1star

and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan leading the way up forward, Lobb even spent time on the wing in last week's 20-point win over Carlton, and finished with two goals, seven hitouts, four marks and eight disposals.


Coach Luke Beveridge is keen to unleash the 207cm giant on the wing again at stages this year.


"It's something we've been planning to do for a little while," Beveridge said.


"He's obviously one of the tallest wingers to ever go around.


"History shows that it can cause opposition teams some headaches if the player can play the role according to plan, and the game can play out a certain way in his favour and in our favour.


"We'll definitely keep it there in our player role kit."


The Bulldogs haven't finished the regular season in the top four since 2010, with their remarkable 2016 flag coming from a seventh-placed finish.


Collingwood, Melbourne, Brisbane and Port Adelaide currently sit in the top four, with the Bulldogs a win and percentage adrift of fourth spot.


Beveridge wants to aim high without getting carried away this early in the season.


"It is only round nine, so I don't want to start talking about the pointy end of the season," Beveridge told reporters on Tuesday.


"Going into every year we've got designs on finishing top four, so nothing changes for us.


"We've got designs on it. Whether we can get there is another thing.


"We'll give it our all to get there."


Josh Bruce

17

Josh Bruce

Age

33

Ht

198cm

Wt

97kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.2

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

4.6

3star

M

4.5

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

90.4

1star

D

8.9

2star

K

3.5

1star

HB

5.4

3star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.3

2star

MG

90.4

2star

D

11.2

3star

K

5.6

3star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.8

3star

is a chance to play this week after recovering from rib damage he suffered in round five, but Beveridge said it was unlikely to be at AFL level.


Midfielder Adam Treloar

1

Adam Treloar

Age

32

Ht

185cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

28.2

5star

K

12.9

5star

HB

15.3

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.9

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

30.3

5star

K

16.3

5star

HB

14.0

5star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.3

4star

CL

5.8

5star

D

18.0

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

6.8

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

1.6

4star

is about two weeks away, while Sam Darcy is making slow progress from a hole in his lung.


"It's just going to be gradual," Beveridge said of Darcy.


"He's still on a low-level training program not doing a lot, so it's going to take some time."


Beveridge said last week's debutant James O'Donnell would likely hold his spot for the game against the Crows, who upset St Kilda by 52 points last week.

 

[_Cerberus_]

So looks like Lobb on the wing has been planned for awhile. And O'Donnell will hold his spot, likely used as third tall forward. Think the club really rates his read of the ball, marking and athletic ability. Just need to find a way to get him more involved this week. Or actually kick to him when he is open.

Bruce confirmed to VFL. Probably no changes this week, maybe one.

 

[Doggy]

THE WESTERN Bulldogs have their sights set on a rare top-four finish, and it could come with Rory Lobb causing headaches on the wing.


The Bulldogs have won six of their past seven games to rocket to sixth on the ladder, but their hot streak will be put to the test on Saturday when they host the resurgent Adelaide in Ballarat.


Lobb has endured a slow start to his life at the Bulldogs, with the former Fremantle and GWS spearhead booting just 10 goals across his first eight matches.


With Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan leading the way up forward, Lobb even spent time on the wing in last week's 20-point win over Carlton, and finished with two goals, seven hitouts, four marks and eight disposals.


Coach Luke Beveridge is keen to unleash the 207cm giant on the wing again at stages this year.


"It's something we've been planning to do for a little while," Beveridge said.

"He's obviously one of the tallest wingers to ever go around.


"History shows that it can cause opposition teams some headaches if the player can play the role according to plan, and the game can play out a certain way in his favour and in our favour.


"We'll definitely keep it there in our player role kit."


The Bulldogs haven't finished the regular season in the top four since 2010, with their remarkable 2016 flag coming from a seventh-placed finish.


Collingwood, Melbourne, Brisbane and Port Adelaide currently sit in the top four, with the Bulldogs a win and percentage adrift of fourth spot.


Beveridge wants to aim high without getting carried away this early in the season.


"It is only round nine, so I don't want to start talking about the pointy end of the season," Beveridge told reporters on Tuesday.


"Going into every year we've got designs on finishing top four, so nothing changes for us.


"We've got designs on it. Whether we can get there is another thing.


"We'll give it our all to get there."


Josh Bruce is a chance to play this week after recovering from rib damage he suffered in round five, but Beveridge said it was unlikely to be at AFL level.


Midfielder Adam Treloar is about two weeks away, while Sam Darcy is making slow progress from a hole in his lung.


"It's just going to be gradual," Beveridge said of Darcy.


"He's still on a low-level training program not doing a lot, so it's going to take some time."


Beveridge said last week's debutant James O'Donnell would likely hold his spot for the game against the Crows, who upset St Kilda by 52 points last week.

Keeping JOD probably signals Lobb on the wing.

Not sure I'd go that tall in these conditions

 

[geoffjennings79]

Bevo paving the way for his ultimate ambition - a whole team of 190plus (ideally 210plus) monsters roaming the field wreaking havoc. Lobb and Sam Darcy are just the entree. The younger Darcys, Croft boys projected to grow to 215plus. I have it on good authority Bevo is driving a special breeding program with the holy grail ambition of winning every flag from 2040 onwards. By then, he'll start getting the offspring of Bruce and Keath through, with young Bonts, Lobbs, 4th gen Darcys on the horizon.
Not only will he revolutionise AFL, or even stop at global sport - he wants a master race to take on planetary representative teams across the galaxy.

Bahahahahaha!

 

[Golden_6]

Laird was just walking the boundary at training today,didn’t participate in any drills at all?
Precautionary or Tactical!

Laird has been struggling with a calf for weeks. He was subbed out at 3/4 time as they had already won the game. He'll play.

 

[Golden_6]

I understand the premise of Lobb to the wing for patches of the game but wouldn't Khamis be the perfect addition as the 'extra tall', not O'Donnell. Khamis is a significantly better forward and has the ability to swing back if needed.

 

[dogwatch]

Bevo paving the way for his ultimate ambition - a whole team of 190plus (ideally 210plus) monsters roaming the field wreaking havoc. Lobb and Sam Darcy are just the entree. The younger Darcys, Croft boys projected to grow to 215plus. I have it on good authority Bevo is driving a special breeding program with the holy grail ambition of winning every flag from 2040 onwards. By then, he'll start getting the offspring of Bruce and Keath through, with young Bonts, Lobbs, 4th gen Darcys on the horizon.
Not only will he revolutionise AFL, or even stop at global sport - he wants a master race to take on planetary representative teams across the galaxy.

Bahahahahaha!

Time for cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down gj.