Changes v Adelaide, 20/5

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I do get the advantages of Lobb on the wing that people are talking about. Allowing him to float behind the ball gives us a huge advantage in defending the high ball, and provides a reliable bail-out kick from half back.

I suppose my question to those in favour of the extra tall, though, is what part of our form over the course of the season has suggested that we need this?

In my opinion, we have defended talls well this year - considerably better than we have in previous seasons. Where we have struggled is with scoring, but it isn't the kick to the wing that we have had trouble with, it is the final kick inside 50.

We aren't marking the ball inside 50 despite our height, and aren't reliably capitalising on drop-of-ball opportunities. Not intended as a criticism of JOD, but he is far and away a worse forward than Lobb is at this stage. So it feels as though we are taking a strong player out of an area of weakness and adding him to areas that we are already strong in to me.

I suppose the summary is that I understand the theoretical advantages of the tactic, but I don't actually see how it makes us a better side.

 

[fred cook]

Brisbane?

[]
Brisbane is only third on the AFL ladder. [emoji848]

On CPH2305 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[perro_loco]

It's either that or develop and train our quicker mids (Smith and Treloar) to be able to go into lockdown mode when required. And there will be a requirement at some point, most likely against Melbourne. I don't think there's any escaping that and if we are to contend it's an answer we have to have.

I like the balance of what looks like our best 22 plus sub at the moment. There's scope for some serious offence. But that CB defense against a side with quick mids in a scenario where the opposing ruckman gains ascendancy for a period of time, well, that can get real nasty pretty quick and we don't have to look too far in the rear vision mirror to see when that bit us.

This season, it's my view that we have to persevere developing those defensive skills and techniques in Smith and Treloar and get as far as we can. I don't think we have a fast, strong defensive mid on our list this season so we have to work with what we've got.

Depending how far we get might determine our next move (cough...Butters...cough).

FTR, I think we're some sort of chance this year. Momentum seems to building within our ranks, but we need to be able STOP the opposition momentum when it inevitably comes and it starts at CB. I'm hopeful that we'll be able to by September (this year).

I think this year we are a serious chance. We have a balanced side that is growing in confidence. My only worry is if we lose a midfielder of quality long term. Injuries are a curse and every side has them. Our forward line is developing and our backs look really solid with excellent back ups in O'Brien and Bruce. I am the ultimate optimist so I think we win the GF this year. That is why I am returning from Europe on September 29. GO DOGS AND SACK BEVO.

 

[perro_loco]

I do get the advantages of Lobb on the wing that people are talking about. Allowing him to float behind the ball gives us a huge advantage in defending the high ball, and provides a reliable bail-out kick from half back.

I suppose my question to those in favour of the extra tall, though, is what part of our form over the course of the season has suggested that we need this?

In my opinion, we have defended talls well this year - considerably better than we have in previous seasons. Where we have struggled is with scoring, but it isn't the kick to the wing that we have had trouble with, it is the final kick inside 50.

We aren't marking the ball inside 50 despite our height, and aren't reliably capitalising on drop-of-ball opportunities. Not intended as a criticism of JOD, but he is far and away a worse forward than Lobb is at this stage. So it feels as though we are taking a strong player out of an area of weakness and adding him to areas that we are already strong in to me.

I suppose the summary is that I understand the theoretical advantages of the tactic, but I don't actually see how it makes us a better side.

Marking in the forward line will come in time as the forwards start to understand in unison the midfield. I think that the fact that we are winning ugly is a good sign of a team that is building but needs its machinery to warm and be nice and well oiled for best performance.

 

[doggies ftw]

I do get the advantages of Lobb on the wing that people are talking about. Allowing him to float behind the ball gives us a huge advantage in defending the high ball, and provides a reliable bail-out kick from half back.

I suppose my question to those in favour of the extra tall, though, is what part of our form over the course of the season has suggested that we need this?

In my opinion, we have defended talls well this year - considerably better than we have in previous seasons. Where we have struggled is with scoring, but it isn't the kick to the wing that we have had trouble with, it is the final kick inside 50.

We aren't marking the ball inside 50 despite our height, and aren't reliably capitalising on drop-of-ball opportunities. Not intended as a criticism of JOD, but he is far and away a worse forward than Lobb is at this stage. So it feels as though we are taking a strong player out of an area of weakness and adding him to areas that we are already strong in to me.

I suppose the summary is that I understand the theoretical advantages of the tactic, but I don't actually see how it makes us a better side.

I don’t think we’ll ever necessarily see Lobb full time on the wing, it is a nice option to be able to swing though depending on game situation - like you mentioned so he can drop back and help out aerially in defence or provide a bail out option on the wing. Is he good enough in the air for this though? I’m not sure about his career but this year he hasn’t really been strong enough in the aerial contest, it’s all good dropping in the hole and bringing the ball to ground but for it to be a real strength for us he needs to clunk a few more.

Aside from the obvious defensive benefits you’ve mentioned I do like what it can provide offensively too, having him stroll forward from the wing and get a mismatch is pretty tasty, and as we know he only needs to be found within 60m and he’s a red hot chance to slot it. Him strolling to half forward from the wing and providing an option should in theory stretch the defence too as they know they need to defend him outside 50 so it should leave space in behind for Marra & Naughty.

My point has been though that I don’t think it’s necessarily taking best advantage of that space by just clogging it with an extra tall. I’d rather leave it for Marra & Naughty to utilise instead of both leading to the hot spot and clashing.

So yeah I love the innovation and I’m more than happy to try things like this early in the season, especially when it’s tailor made to the opposition ie Carlton’s tall forwards on the weekend. This is a good thing and not the cause of my concern at all. But I really don’t think we need a 4th tall whether that’s Buku, JOD or whoever to allow us this ‘freedom’ of expanding Lobbs role if that makes sense, if anything I think it actually takes away from the positives brought by Lobbs role.

 

[dogwatch]

I do get the advantages of Lobb on the wing that people are talking about. Allowing him to float behind the ball gives us a huge advantage in defending the high ball, and provides a reliable bail-out kick from half back.

I suppose my question to those in favour of the extra tall, though, is what part of our form over the course of the season has suggested that we need this?

In my opinion, we have defended talls well this year - considerably better than we have in previous seasons. Where we have struggled is with scoring, but it isn't the kick to the wing that we have had trouble with, it is the final kick inside 50.

We aren't marking the ball inside 50 despite our height, and aren't reliably capitalising on drop-of-ball opportunities. Not intended as a criticism of JOD, but he is far and away a worse forward than Lobb is at this stage. So it feels as though we are taking a strong player out of an area of weakness and adding him to areas that we are already strong in to me.

I suppose the summary is that I understand the theoretical advantages of the tactic, but I don't actually see how it makes us a better side.

The logical answer then is to put Lobb back inside 50 and O'Donnell to the wing, at least for stints during the game if not the whole time. He seems more mobile, has good aerial ability and supposedly delivers kicks well (although we didn't get a chance to see that last week). We also have a better target in Lobb inside 50.

 

[Roogal]

Hey Roogal - any intel that could help us out here?

A fan zone will be located inside Gate 3 on the netball courts with a range of kids activities including inflatable, handball target and kids activities to keep young Bulldogs fans entertained before the first bounce. Gates open from 12.40pm.

 

[Mutt]

A fan zone will be located inside Gate 3 on the netball courts with a range of kids activities including inflatable, handball target and kids activities to keep young Bulldogs fans entertained before the first bounce. Gates open from 12.40pm.

View attachment 1690076

Thanks Roogal - you are a good friend to this board - much appreciated.

ScottyDogg - here's your info. Enjoy the day.

 

[Next Waiting]

I think this year we are a serious chance. We have a balanced side that is growing in confidence. My only worry is if we lose a midfielder of quality long term. Injuries are a curse and every side has them. Our forward line is developing and our backs look really solid with excellent back ups in O'Brien and Bruce. I am the ultimate optimist so I think we win the GF this year. That is why I am returning from Europe on September 29. GO DOGS AND SACK BEVO.

That's every team's worry, not just ours, and there's little you can do about it. From memory, Geelong, Melbourne and Richmond in recent premierships had their best midfielders and rucks fit and available for selection. Not to have 1 or more of your very best available is likely to scuttle your chances of success in a relatively even competition at the top end and especially in a high pressure final.

I think we're a chance too, but pretty much everything has to go right, from player availability to development in season.

 

[lachy]

The logical answer then is to put Lobb back inside 50 and O'Donnell to the wing, at least for stints during the game if not the whole time. He seems more mobile, has good aerial ability and supposedly delivers kicks well (although we didn't get a chance to see that last week). We also have a better target in Lobb inside 50.

How it would work in reality is Lobb Starts on the wing, O'Donnell high half forward. Lobb drifts back to help out O'Donnell or designated forward drifts to the wing. Been the strategy since 6 6 6 came in. Could also be either Marra or Naughts, leaving 2 talls deeper forward but always making sure we have marking targets transitioning from defence

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[Martyn_30_]

It wasn’t his fault but I’ve never seen a player look as lost in the forward line as O’Donnell did last week. It was nothing but a gut feel selection that Beveridge has a bad habit of making. There’s a mountain of evidence over Beveridge’s time that playing games with positions doesn’t work. I don’t think there’s any clear cut players putting there hands up, but having some who can at least play a role should be the minimum.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[stefoid]

I love the irony - we come up with tongue in cheek suggestions like caleb daniel

5

Caleb Daniel

Age

29

Ht

171cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.3

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

19.5

4star

K

11.1

4star

HB

8.4

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

CL

1.0

3star

D

16.4

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

9.2

5star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

to the ruck or english to the wing just for the lolz, and Bev not only sees us, but raises.

 

[Next Waiting]

I love the irony - we come up with tongue in cheek suggestions like caleb daniel to the ruck or english to the wing just for the lolz, and Bev not only sees us, but raises.

It's some sort of a ride.

 

[Wetdog]

It wasn’t his fault but I’ve never seen a player look as lost in the forward line as O’Donnell did last week. It was nothing but a gut feel selection that Beveridge has a bad habit of making. There’s a mountain of evidence over Beveridge’s time that playing games with positions doesn’t work. I don’t think there’s any clear cut players putting there hands up, but having some who can at least play a role should be the minimum.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

JOD was set up to fail last week by the MC and Coaching Team.

He has played 3 matches of footy in something like 5 years and none of them in the forward line.

How do they expect him to succeed with that preparation? I feel for the kid.

 

[dogwatch]

JOD was set up to fail last week by the MC and Coaching Team.

He has played 3 matches of footy in something like 5 years and none of them in the forward line.

How do they expect him to succeed with that preparation? I feel for the kid.

I agree it was a strange look but "failure" depends on what the expectations were. Sounds like they were pretty happy with the outcome if they are prepared to give him another run.

They appear to have a lot of belief in the kid. So as long as they are communicating the expectations and strategy with him I don't see too much wrong.

Let's see how he goes this week before we come down too hard on coach and MC. They've obviously seen something they like. If their faith in the kid's ability is well founded he is likely to improve fairly quickly over the coming weeks (even if it involves another stint in the VFL at some stage).

It's certainly fascinating to watch it play out. For me it feels a bit like us bringing in overagers in Boyd and Morris about 20 years ago, two players whose hidden talent we were astute enough to spot. Boyd was the same age as O'Donnell when he debuted in Rd 7 of 2003 and in 8 games that year he only got 25 kicks. Fast forward six years and he got 58 Brownlow votes over 2009-2011. Morris was 22 when he debuted in Rd 5 of 2005. He only got 2 kicks, 7HB, 1 tackle and 3 one percenters that day but he played every game from there to the end of the season. Both players are now Bullgods and probably future hall of famers.

A lot of it comes down to attitude and application which Boyd and Dale had in spades. If along with his athleticism and good aerial ability O'Donnell has a similar level of application it'll take him along way.

 

[Next Waiting]

JOD was set up to fail last week by the MC and Coaching Team.

He has played 3 matches of footy in something like 5 years and none of them in the forward line.

How do they expect him to succeed with that preparation? I feel for the kid.

C'mon, how can we know that without knowing how they defined a successful debut in his instance. I've previously advanced this, but if the objective and measurement of a successful debut was to play half a minimal error game in a cauldron and to be on the winning team then it was a roaring success.

The coach has a very different take on the bigger picture to most of Big Footy.

 

[Next Waiting]

This is how it went down at MC

Bevo: This kid JOD, what are we going to do? He trained the house down all summer, his skill set is good, very competitive, the boys are saying he's a bit of a mare to play on at training and he's played 3 games of VFL and looked one of, if not our best every game Whadda you think Smithee?

Whatever you think Boss.

Onya Smithee

Ladey. How do you see it?

Duh.....ruckman.

All good Ladey. As you were.

Spangho?

Well Bevo, your summation is right. We are yet to discover a chink in his armour. But what if right, we debut him this week but ..... buuuutt..... take him right out of his comfort zone and play him forward to test his mettle and adaptability in a high pressure game where the opposition are under intense scrutiny in front of their home crowd in a packed stadium.

Spango you crazy bastard! That might just tell us exactly what we need to know! But let's just play him for half a game coz I doubt he'll run out the full term. We'll keep McSteal as sub again this week to cover forward when he comes off and to help turn the screws in the last quarter.

Crazy Vossy pfffftt. We'll show 'm fcuking crazy Spangho. Also, there's a decent swell at Point Lonsdale Sunday. Surf? We'll take my car. See what Roarke's up to.

Sweet.

Alright, done.

.

 

[geoffjennings79]

This is how it went down at MC

Bevo: This kid JOD, what are we going to do? He trained the house down all summer, his skill set is good, very competitive, the boys are saying he's a bit of a mare to play on at training and he's played 3 games of VFL and looked one of, if not our best every game Whadda you think Smithee?

Whatever you think Boss.

Onya Smithee

Ladey. How do you see it?

Duh.....ruckman.

All good Ladey. As you were.

Spangho?

Well Bevo, your summation is right. We are yet to discover a chink in his armour. But what if right, we debut him this week but ..... buuuutt..... take him right out of his comfort zone and play him forward to test his mettle and adaptability in a high pressure game where the opposition are under intense scrutiny in front of their home crowd in a packed stadium.

Spango you crazy bastard! That might just tell us exactly what we need to know! But let's just play him for half a game coz I doubt he'll run out the full term. We'll keep McSteal as sub again this week to cover forward when he comes off and to help turn the screws in the last quarter.

Crazy Vossy pfffftt. We'll show 'm fcuking crazy Spangho. Also, there's a decent swell at Point Lonsdale Sunday. Surf? We'll take my car. See what Roarke's up to.

Sweet.

Alright, done.

.

I've never read a more accurate post on BF.

And the attribution of Spangher as the real brains behind the throne I've been banging on about myself - even if some have read it as sarcasm!

 

[Next Waiting]

I've never read a more accurate post on BF.

And the attribution of Spangher as the real brains behind the throne I've been banging on about myself - even if some have read it as sarcasm!

The thing is, I have no idea if it's even remotely close to the truth. I have nfi about any of the inner machinations.

But it's fun to speculate

 

[geoffjennings79]

The thing is, I have no idea if it's even remotely close to the truth. I have nfi about any of the inner machinations.

But it's fun to speculate

Don't be so modest!

 

[Next Waiting]

Don't be so modest!

I really have no idea, about the machinations or footy or anything really. I am ChatGPT

 

[Norm De Guerre]

 

[Doggy]

No Walker, Thilthorpe and Doedee helps

 

[JTCWBFC]

Keath out, Obrien in - JOD stays.

 

[dergert]

Phwoah.

O'Brien was good last week. Didn't think they'd make the change though