Opinion Changes vs Geelong

[Bald]

you must be a happy camper about the celtics!

I am a happy happy man.

 

[TiAn_]

I am a happy happy man.

Boneheaded shot by Jimmy so early in the shot clock and only down 2. 24% on 3s for 3 years.

 

[Claythesmiths]

This is Rounds 1-6 in 2021, where we won every game. As you can see, English played between 18-38% ruck, with Martin playing the bulk. English is significantly more durable than 2021 Martin was, and can probably play at the high end around 80% ruck time. We only need our second ruck to cover around 20% ruck time per game.

I guess the question is then: do we sacrifice 20% of ruck contests by having Schache/Khamis/Cordy ruck for us? Or do we sacrifice having a 22nd player able to contribute around the ground?

 

[stefoid]

Buku has a tough gig. Weightman plays like a marking forward, Bont demands the ball and Naughton is Naughton. I’m wondering what the team instructions are because I see a lot of leading and running into space by Weightman. Naughton is the high target prowling the hot spot and Bont is the deep target. My observation is that Buku playing deep looking for morsels if Naughton and Bont are both covered or out of position. It’s a thankless role if that’s it. He basically sacrifices his game for those 3. Swapping JUH in will be interesting. Does he play the Buku role and get very few looks at it or does he play the Weightman role and we tell Weightman to stay down and be at the drop? That will be tough as Weightman is a natural ball hunter.

Buku keeping JUHs spot warm AFAICS. Surely he settles long term as a defender? Good hands, stupidly athletic, good enough skills. The only thing holding him back is experience.

I wasnt sold on him, but after seeing him perform in the seniors, I reckon he will be a player.

 

[Libbaaaa]

View attachment 1412453


This is Rounds 1-6 in 2021, where we won every game. As you can see, English played between 18-38% ruck, with Martin playing the bulk. English is significantly more durable than 2021 Martin was, and can probably play at the high end around 80% ruck time. We only need our second ruck to cover around 20% ruck time per game.

I guess the question is then: do we sacrifice 20% of ruck contests by having Schache/Khamis/Cordy ruck for us? Or do we sacrifice having a 22nd player able to contribute around the ground?

Getting the mix right is just so tricky because against Gold Coast we were rucking Cordy in time on against Witts and it was no coincidence that the Suns banged on a couple of goals each time we did. If our 2nd ruck is going to be one of our defenders or forwards then we have to be reactive with when we rest Tim forward/off the ground and only do it when the oppo ruckman isn't in the middle.

 

[ScottyDogg]

I’ve got a question re the Sweet + English discussion.

I posted on here a few months back how if you analyze basically every premiership team for the last 15 years they all have two genuine rucks in the side except the Tigers in one of their premierships.

My question is: are all of those 2nd rucks really great players in their own right or mostly just serviceable and playing a role? And think about their reputation a before they became premiership players. I don’t know many of these players but I would argue that Bulldogs two ruckmen in the 2016 premiership team were only serviceable.

I just think some people on here maintain rediculous standards for playing best 22 football. Every great football team has 3-6 role players. I think Sweet can be that for us. Only time will tell……..unless Bevo immediately drops him and then we never find out .

 

[Dog 36]

I’ve got a question re the Sweet + English discussion.

I posted on here a few months back how if you analyze basically every premiership team for the last 15 years they all have two genuine rucks in the side except the Tigers in one of their premierships.

My question is: are all of those 2nd rucks really great players in their own right or mostly just serviceable and playing a role? And think about their reputation a before they became premiership players. I don’t know many of these players but I would argue that Bulldogs two ruckmen in the 2016 premiership team were only serviceable.

I just think some people on here maintain rediculous standards for playing best 22 football. Every great football team has 3-6 role players. I think Sweet can be that for us. Only time will tell……..unless Bevo immediately drops him and then we never find out .

Great post bang on the money.

 

[goodcop badcop]

Buku keeping JUHs spot warm AFAICS. Surely he settles long term as a defender? Good hands, stupidly athletic, good enough skills. The only thing holding him back is experience.

I wasnt sold on him, but after seeing him perform in the seniors, I reckon he will be a player.

From watching him in the VFL, I was starting to think he would be a bust before he made the move forward. He's been much more impressive up forward and actually looks a bit happier IMO. I don't really think he has improved much as a defender from last year, plus I thought he struggled against Port when he was moved back. Remember Keath was injured and O'Brien wasn't going well, yet we still didn't play him then.

 

[Del165892]

Even though he has been creaky as hell I'm glad Danger isn't playing, always seems to have another level against us, same with Menegola. I'm very optimistic about this one.

I've learned to never let myself get optimistic about us playing the Cats

 

[goodcop badcop]

I’ve got a question re the Sweet + English discussion.

I posted on here a few months back how if you analyze basically every premiership team for the last 15 years they all have two genuine rucks in the side except the Tigers in one of their premierships.

My question is: are all of those 2nd rucks really great players in their own right or mostly just serviceable and playing a role? And think about their reputation a before they became premiership players. I don’t know many of these players but I would argue that Bulldogs two ruckmen in the 2016 premiership team were only serviceable.

I just think some people on here maintain rediculous standards for playing best 22 football. Every great football team has 3-6 role players. I think Sweet can be that for us. Only time will tell……..unless Bevo immediately drops him and then we never find out .

This.

Finals become a lot more contested, having two rucks becomes more necessary.

It's really the perfect week to at least try it with Geelong. I think Stanley will be back.

 

[stefoid]

From watching him in the VFL, I was starting to think he would be a bust before he made the move forward. He's been much more impressive up forward and actually looks a bit happier IMO. I don't really think he has improved much as a defender from last year, plus I thought he struggled against Port when he was moved back. Remember Keath was injured and O'Brien wasn't going well, yet we still didn't play him then.

Just not being in the right place at the right time? or loses contests?

 

[ScottyDogg]

This
Finals become a lot more contested, having two rucks becomes more necessary.

It's really the perfect week to at least try it with Geelong. I think Stanley will be back.

This. Do we really need to go down the makeshift ruck road again. We have two serviceable 2nd rucks on the team. Yes they are pretty useless around the ground but that doesn’t matter when your 1st ruck is Tim English.

A fresh English + Sweet is always going to be better than a tired English + Cordy, Hannan, Buku whoever else you are going to name. In finals this is doubly important. Not to mention we need more campaigners for finals. Sweet definitely ticks that box.

 

[Del165892]

This. Do we really need to go down the makeshift ruck road again. We have two serviceable 2nd rucks on the team. Yes they are pretty useless around the ground but that doesn’t matter when your 1st ruck is Tim English.

A fresh English + Sweet is always going to be better than a tired English + Cordy, Hannan, Buku whoever else you are going to name. In finals this is doubly important. Not to mention we need more campaigners for finals. Sweet definitely ticks that box.

Do you just sit around sniffing your own farts all day and watching Jordon Sweets highlight reel?

 

[Doggy]

Do you just sit around sniffing your own farts all day and watching Jordon Sweets highlight reel?

That's not only not funny but unnecessary

 

[dergert]

I’ve got a question re the Sweet + English discussion.

I posted on here a few months back how if you analyze basically every premiership team for the last 15 years they all have two genuine rucks in the side except the Tigers in one of their premierships.

My question is: are all of those 2nd rucks really great players in their own right or mostly just serviceable and playing a role? And think about their reputation a before they became premiership players. I don’t know many of these players but I would argue that Bulldogs two ruckmen in the 2016 premiership team were only serviceable.

I just think some people on here maintain rediculous standards for playing best 22 football. Every great football team has 3-6 role players. I think Sweet can be that for us. Only time will tell……..unless Bevo immediately drops him and then we never find out .

Cough Lin Jong cough.

 

[Martyn_30_]

English is a unique player I don’t see why he can’t spend more time out of the ruck but not deep forward, he’s clearly the best marking option around the ground in the team and Sweet’s much better in the stoppage hit out area. Playing Sweet as a legitimate second ruck will just end up in the same predicament as previously existed with a sub standard second ruck hole filler coming in to replace him. The first half of last year shows what the midfield is capable of with a ruckman in there 100% of the time.


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[Bald]

That's not only not funny but unnecessary

I thought it was funny and remotely necessary.

 

[Munnez]

Westys pretty bloody competitive in the air I reckon, gives it 100% to not be beaten and can bring the ball down. Stewart’s a different beast but it’s not the worst suggestion I’ve heard

No doubt Westy has a red hot crack but is giving up a lot of cm's to Stewart. Is an option just don't think it is the best one.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

The accolades we are giving Stewart on our board you would think he is a Ted Whitten and Chris Grant rolled into one. OK is a very good defender. All the talk before last years prelim final was how are we going to stop Alir. The dominance of our midfield and Schache took care of that. Just need to send a Cordy or Schache to him which would mean Sweet does not play.

 

[Some Idiot]

They aren’t the same though.

Large parts of Sweets game aren’t currently AFL level. Whether he makes it or not is a different thing all together.

West’s football has been AFL level. Whether it was it was good enough at the time to find a spot in our 22 was the question at the time.

West is playing well (albeit only a game or two), with a handful of players filling roles he’s pushing for, Sweet is struggling in a role there’s zero pressure for.

West and Sweets situations aren’t comparable.

As for West playing the role at VFL level. He’s played predominantly midfield for most of the last 24 mths. He’s a midfielder, not a small forward or a wingman. That’s not to say he can’t craft something out of those roles along the way, but he won’t be a 200 game hybrid half fwd/small fwd. Or at least I can’t see home staying at the Dogs if that’s the role on offer.

There was a slow inside mid with poor skills, no aerial game or goalkicking ability at GWS called Toby Greene.
Funny how things can change

 

[doggies ftw]

This. Do we really need to go down the makeshift ruck road again. We have two serviceable 2nd rucks on the team. Yes they are pretty useless around the ground but that doesn’t matter when your 1st ruck is Tim English.

A fresh English + Sweet is always going to be better than a tired English + Cordy, Hannan, Buku whoever else you are going to name. In finals this is doubly important. Not to mention we need more campaigners for finals. Sweet definitely ticks that box.

I’m genuinely shocked that people on here having forgotten how much of a nightmare our makeshift ruck phase has been at times - couple of wins and it’s maybe we can use mids to back up Timmy, all over again was only 6 weeks ago it cost us the Carlton game

 

[doggies ftw]

I thought it was funny and remotely necessary.

Kiss ass, he still won’t think you’re cute no matter how much you suck up

 

[Dogsman16]

I'd only support picking the solitary ruck if

A) you can select 3 tall marking targets that all consistently pose a aerial threat and kick regular goals. Or
B) you can bank on a player doing a defensive lockdown job on the elite intercepting defender like Lever/Allir - Not many have this variety either.

We should be doing everything we can to maximise the midfield advantage that we have. First priority should be to win clearances/control territory. And the centre bounces are now even more important than ever. Successful teams this year like the dees/carl/freo all very strong in that area. And they all have 2 viable ruck options when fully fit.

Not to mention dominating centre bounces means that we have more time for our defensive to setup and more numbers behind the ball when required.

 

[Bald]

Kiss ass, he still won’t think you’re cute no matter how much you suck up

Ok

 

[doggies ftw]

I'd only support picking the solitary ruck if

A) you can select 3 tall marking targets that all consistently pose a aerial threat and kick regular goals. Or
B) you can bank on a player doing a defensive lockdown job on the elite intercepting defender like Lever/Allir - Not many have this variety either.

We should be doing everything we can to maximise the midfield advantage that we have. First priority should be to win clearances/control territory. And the centre bounces are now even more important than ever. Successful teams this year like the dees/carl/freo all very strong in that area. And they all have 2 viable ruck options when fully fit.

Not to mention dominating centre bounces means that we have more time for our defensive to setup and more numbers behind the ball when required.

Yep midfield dominance should be a non negotiable for us right now - it’s the only way we can threaten.

Against a shit side of course but how nice was it to see us kick a goal, Timmy goes off for a break and our 2nd ruck slams it straight down Macraes throat to instantly go inside & kick a 2nd. I don’t know how many times earlier in the year I saw either us or the oppo kick a goal, us desperately need the next at a key stage of the game to then see Cordy walking to the centre and just instantly think yep that’s the game.

Forever giving up momentum from the center or not being able to stop another teams momentum, just ain’t going to cut it in current era of footy