Preview Changes v Saints

[Dogsman16]

Why we continue to not play 2 rucks against Grundy and Gawn I find ridiculous.
Trengrove should have been an automatic starter against Collingwood. And against GWS in the elim as well. We need added aggression.

 

[dogwatch]

If you guys were coaching the side this year would you focus on development or would you go all out for winning the flag? If you were going the development route what things might you experiment with?

I'd probably do the following:

Put Richards at half back or on a wing for the whole season. He's never going to be a forward so let him develop in a role he will actually play.

Weightman plays the whole season.

West plays as much midfield time as his thick little legs can handle.

Bring in Sweet so English can have a good run as a wingman and fulfil his destiny.

Trengove, Dickson and Suckling told to go and pursue another career. I love Suckling and think he's a gun but his body isn't holding up well enough to think he's going to be a major player in our next campaign. Ditto Dicko.

Toby McLean given one more year to develop as a half forward and if he fails we look to trade him out end of season. He could carve out a decent career at another club with a midfield that doesn't run as deep.

I'm with Charlie Bucket for most of the reasons he stated. Also there's no guarantee some of the younger ones like Richards will make it either so committing to them for the season might end up being a waste.

Good sides usually have a mix of old and young and make gradual transitions. Those that go for larger scale renewal and eliminate their veterans can end up spinning their wheels for a few years without making much progress. Young players learn a fair bit from having the experienced ones beside them on the field.

 

[weltschmerz]

I think we still need Trenners. He certainly doesn't do everything right, but we don't have another big lockdown defender like him. Lewis Young is developing but he's a while away, Gardner isn't AFL quality, and our other talls aren't the lockdown type.

I hope Cody Raak can develop into that kind of player. With academy and F/S over the next couple of years I don't think we'll have many picks in the open draft.

 

[Del165892]

I think we still need Trenners. He certainly doesn't do everything right, but we don't have another big lockdown defender like him. Lewis Young is developing but he's a while away, Gardner isn't AFL quality, and our other talls aren't the lockdown type.

I hope Cody Raak can develop into that kind of player. With academy and F/S over the next couple of years I don't think we'll have many picks in the open draft.

And I hope we never do again

 

[Virgin Dog]

If you guys were coaching the side this year would you focus on development or would you go all out for winning the flag? If you were going the development route what things might you experiment with?

I'd probably do the following:

Put Richards at half back or on a wing for the whole season. He's never going to be a forward so let him develop in a role he will actually play.

Weightman plays the whole season.

West plays as much midfield time as his thick little legs can handle.

Bring in Sweet so English can have a good run as a wingman and fulfil his destiny.

Trengove, Dickson and Suckling told to go and pursue another career. I love Suckling and think he's a gun but his body isn't holding up well enough to think he's going to be a major player in our next campaign. Ditto Dicko.

Toby McLean given one more year to develop as a half forward and if he fails we look to trade him out end of season. He could carve out a decent career at another club with a midfield that doesn't run as deep.

Richards to half back regardless of whether we chase a flag or go for development. He doesn't belong at half forward - plays much better behind the ball rebounding.

Weightman in until his form drops far enough that he becomes a liability. No free games, but give a bit of lenience.

Trengove in. He's our best key defender bar Keath (as sad as that is) and a leader, which our side sorely lacks. Gives a ruck chop out too, instead of throwing Schache, Bruce and Dunkley in there.

Sweet and West I'm not sure of. I want them both in, but it's hard to say who is dropped in exchange. If Sweet comes in, Schache probably goes out. Absolutely no room for that many talls. West possibly in for Dickson.

McLean is gone this season as far as I'm concerned. Great player, but impossible to justify a spot ahead of Dunkley, Macrae, Bont, Libba, Wallis, Smith and Lipinski.

Seems the main thing I disagree with you on is Trengove. I want him in the side - the Richmond game last year where Naughton flopped his monster unit all over Richmond, hardly anyone noticed how good Trengove was that day. Completely nullified Lynch.

If we push for the flag, Suckling has a spot. If not, then let him retire early and head to the NFL

 

[Charlie Bucket]

Richards to half back regardless of whether we chase a flag or go for development. He doesn't belong at half forward - plays much better behind the ball rebounding.

Weightman in until his form drops far enough that he becomes a liability. No free games, but give a bit of lenience.

Trengove in. He's our best key defender bar Keath (as sad as that is) and a leader, which our side sorely lacks. Gives a ruck chop out too, instead of throwing Schache, Bruce and Dunkley in there.

Sweet and West I'm not sure of. I want them both in, but it's hard to say who is dropped in exchange. If Sweet comes in, Schache probably goes out. Absolutely no room for that many talls. West possibly in for Dickson.

McLean is gone this season as far as I'm concerned. Great player, but impossible to justify a spot ahead of Dunkley, Macrae, Bont, Libba, Wallis, Smith and Lipinski.

Seems the main thing I disagree with you on is Trengove. I want him in the side - the Richmond game last year where Naughton flopped his monster unit all over Richmond, hardly anyone noticed how good Trengove was that day. Completely nullified Lynch.

If we push for the flag, Suckling has a spot. If not, then let him retire early and head to the NFL

All of West, Weightman, Trenners and Sweet in? Big call!!
Can’t see us winning games against the better sides with too many uncertainties/youngsters in.

Whats your 22 for the next game?

 

[weltschmerz]

Trengove is the best we have for that physical full back role. Cordy doesn't really cut it, Lewis Young isn't there yet, and Naughton's a full time forward now.

 

[Virgin Dog]

All of West, Weightman, Trenners and Sweet in? Big call!!
Can’t see us winning games against the better sides with too many uncertainties/youngsters in.

Whats your 22 for the next game?

Yeah that's why I'm not so sure about Sweet and West in - realistically it's no more than one of Sweet and Trengove and one of West and Weightman. Couldn't carry them all at once at this stage.

My best 22 for next game:

FB: Alex Keath - Zaine Cordy - Taylor Duryea
HB: Hayden Crozier - Jason Johannisen - Bailey Williams
C: Bailey Smith - Marcus Bontempelli - Will Hayes
HF: Bailey Dale - Josh Bruce - Mitch Wallis
FF: Cody Weightman - Aaron Naughton - Sam Lloyd

Foll: Tim English - Josh Dunkley - Jack Macrae
Int: Jackson Trengove - Easton Wood - Caleb Daniel - Ben Cavarra

Emer: Matthew Suckling - Tory Dickson - Toby McLean - Lewis Young

CHANGES:
OUT - Lachie Hunter (suspension), Ryan Gardner (spud), Matthew Suckling, Lewis Young
IN - Will Hayes (replace wing), Jackson Trengove, Taylor Duryea (return from injury), Cody Weightman (debut)

 

[Northernsoul74]

Yeah that's why I'm not so sure about Sweet and West in - realistically it's no more than one of Sweet and Trengove and one of West and Weightman. Couldn't carry them all at once at this stage.

My best 22 for next game:

FB: Alex Keath - Zaine Cordy - Taylor Duryea
HB: Hayden Crozier - Jason Johannisen - Bailey Williams
C: Bailey Smith - Marcus Bontempelli - Will Hayes
HF: Bailey Dale - Josh Bruce - Mitch Wallis
FF: Cody Weightman - Aaron Naughton - Sam Lloyd

Foll: Tim English - Josh Dunkley - Jack Macrae
Int: Jackson Trengove - Easton Wood - Caleb Daniel - Ben Cavarra

Emer: Matthew Suckling - Tory Dickson - Toby McLean - Lewis Young

CHANGES:
OUT - Lachie Hunter (suspension), Ryan Gardner (spud), Matthew Suckling, Lewis Young
IN - Will Hayes (replace wing), Jackson Trengove, Taylor Duryea (return from injury), Cody Weightman (debut)

I’m finding it hard to disagree with any of this. Only question would be how close is Libba? I’d also like to inject some more pace with a Richards or Vandermeer type but not sure either of them warrant a game ahead of this 22. Cavarra needs to show something pretty quickly as well although can hardly blame him for Round 1.

 

[Mattdougie]

Libba and Duryea are ready to go

Will Hayes isn’t a footballers a$$

Playing him is admitting we are no good

 

[Virgin Dog]

I’m finding it hard to disagree with any of this. Only question would be how close is Libba? I’d also like to inject some more pace with a Richards or Vandermeer type but not sure either of them warrant a game ahead of this 22. Cavarra needs to show something pretty quickly as well although can hardly blame him for Round 1.

I heard Libba was close, MD says below that he's ready to go which is hopefully the case. Him and Duryea absolutely play if they're ready.

Cavarra's debut was forgettable but didn't we come close to breaking the club record for lowest inside 50s or something like that? Usually debutants are given a few games anyway, so I'd hate to see him dropped after that abysmal delivery from our midfield. In saying that, Weightman and Cavarra may not play in the same side just yet

Libba and Duryea are ready to go

Will Hayes isn’t a footballers a$$

Playing him is admitting we are no good

Hope you're right about Libba and Duryea.

Hayes is our only replacement for Hunter. Without him, we have nothing resembling a winger. I don't like it either, but like it or not I think we'll see him playing next game

 

[weltschmerz]

Hayes is our only replacement for Hunter. Without him, we have nothing resembling a winger. I don't like it either, but like it or not I think we'll see him playing next game

I'm still hoping Bailey Smith can play that role. Elite endurance. I'd probably prefer B Smith and Ed Richards on the wings rather than Hayes.

 

[Virgin Dog]

I'm still hoping Bailey Smith can play that role. Elite endurance. I'd probably prefer B Smith and Ed Richards on the wings rather than Hayes.

So long as Richards isn't on the forward flank, I'm fine with that.

So far it seems Smith is developing a lot more inside and has fast become one of our best tacklers, but I would prefer seeing him use his speed and kicking on the outside more.

Just think it's inevitable that Hayes ends up named..

 

[weltschmerz]

So long as Richards isn't on the forward flank, I'm fine with that.

So far it seems Smith is developing a lot more inside and has fast become one of our best tacklers, but I would prefer seeing him use his speed and kicking on the outside more.

Just think it's inevitable that Hayes ends up named..

Smith would be a walk-up start in just about any team's inside midfield, but given how our midfield looks right now, I think we specifically can use him better on the outside. As long as he still gets the chance to knock a bloke down.

 

[Mattdougie]

I heard Libba was close, MD says below that he's ready to go which is hopefully the case. Him and Duryea absolutely play if they're ready.

Cavarra's debut was forgettable but didn't we come close to breaking the club record for lowest inside 50s or something like that? Usually debutants are given a few games anyway, so I'd hate to see him dropped after that abysmal delivery from our midfield. In saying that, Weightman and Cavarra may not play in the same side just yet

Hope you're right about Libba and Duryea.

Hayes is our only replacement for Hunter. Without him, we have nothing resembling a winger. I don't like it either, but like it or not I think we'll see him playing next game

Hayes is no good

Rather play a kid and get games into them,

 

[AJARWA]

Dahl and Stringer had some real edge to them as well. I agree with Bevo building a group that buys into a real team ethos but I hope his teams still allow the maverick personalities the space to be a bit crazy where they need to. Without condoning stringers behaviour off-field, I wonder if some of those types of challenges don’t come with the territory of the type of crazy that our team lacks at the moment. We need someone crazy brave or crazy crazy or both to help out the guts. I hope it’s West and I hope he makes it. B Smith is a gun.

We really need to inject mongrel into this team. I don't think we're going anywhere near the top four without it. Giants and Pies games showed that. Too many go missing when the heat is turned up. The players can talk all they like about redemption following the Giants game but if you haven't got it, you haven't got it.

Promising thing is some of our young blokes seem to have it. West. Williams. Smith. Naughton. Cordy. Richards, Weightman and the Youngs have shown a bit too. If more in this group can bulk up and regularly get games, we'd be a different team imo. One that could give top four a red hot crack.

 

[dogwatch]

We really need to inject mongrel into this team...

Agree. Our problem is that Bulldogs are a pure breed and despite their feisty image they're a bit too nice. They simply aren't mongrel enough. We could change our name to the Western Mongrels. I'd be happy with that personally (and one of our mods would be deliriously so) but it doesn't have the popular appeal of a thoroughbred. Besides, we might find we start losing sponsors like Pedigree.

So ... are we all in favour of changing our name to the Western Rottweilers? The club should benefit too. Think of all the new merchandise we'd all have to rush out and buy.

 

[Jeff 1975]

Stringer was our spark

 

[Jeff 1975]

Agree. Our problem is that Bulldogs are a pure breed and despite their feisty image they're a bit too nice. They simply aren't mongrel enough. We could change our name to the Western Mongrels. I'd be happy with that personally (and one of our mods would be deliriously so) but it doesn't have the popular appeal of a thoroughbred. Besides, we might find we start losing sponsors like Pedigree.

So ... are we all in favour of changing our name to the Western Rottweilers? The club should benefit too. Think of all the new merchandise we'd all have to rush out and buy.

Plenty pit-bulls in the west

 

[dogwatch]

Plenty pit-bulls in the west

Haha yes, and mean too. Pretty ugly dogs though.

 

[Jeff 1975]

Next game, go at full strength
Best way to learn is to win

 

[Cam1967]

Plenty pit-bulls in the west

Ahh, takes me back to the West End in the 90s

 

[Jeff 1975]

Haha yes, and mean too. Pretty ugly dogs though.

Yes very ugly – they should ban America Pit-bulls - but that just me

Your 'Western Rottweilers' is not bad

 

[Munnez]

I would like to see Richards tried on the wing. Kid has decent jets I feel that there might be a slight question mark on his tank.
Good user of the ball and may get more of it running the full ground.
Enough penetration on his kick to really open up the field and bring all the KPF into calculations making it that much harder for defenders to zone off

 

[dogwatch]

I would like to see Richards tried on the wing. Kid has decent jets I feel that there might be a slight question mark on his tank.
Good user of the ball and may get more of it running the full ground.
Enough penetration on his kick to really open up the field and bring all the KPF into calculations making it that much harder for defenders to zone off

JJ took a while to establish himself but has done well over the years as a running defender. Richards has similar pace but is a slightly better mark and perhaps a little more inclined to tackle, so perhaps he can fill a similar role. The tank isn't quite as important in defence as it is on the wing.