Preview Changes vs ST KILDA. Elimination final preview (GABBA- Sat 3rd October). Happy now??

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Bulldogs Legend

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 18, 2015
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Who knows Bevo is the master of disguise. He has played:

Ryan Gardner and convinced the majority of bulldog bigfooty posters he is worthy of his place.
Roarke Smith after a number of sub par games even I think he should be in after last week.
If Gowers plays and we win Bevo might get the hatrick of magical deception.
It was also a trait of Sheedy at his peak to turn what everyone else thought were average players into good ones. It could be possible that Bevo is a better judge than most but that’s not to say anyone gets them right all the time.
 

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Bulldogs Legend

Norm Smith Medallist
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There are some massive differences between the 2016 side and this side. Mainly in experience and leadership but a few other areas too.

In 2016 we had a side that at their best could beat any other side in it - including when they were playing at their best... GWS a perfect example of this.

This year, we are a few steps behind that - or the comp is a few steps ahead. At our best, I think there are still a few sides that are better than us if they play well. We still COULD beat them if they are off, but I'm not convinced we are good enough yet to do that to a side like Richmond.

I think a few here have been pretty harsh on us. We aren't to the level of Port, Geelong, Brisbane, Richmond and West Coast just yet. We could beat a few of them if they aren't at their best or missing a few, but not consistently or if we are a little off.

6-10th is a fair reflection of where the list is at - so 7th is fair. With some more experience I'd hope to be closer to a top 4 side in 2021.
Three of those teams are home ground specialists
 

Generation West

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Oct 15, 2018
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ELIMINATION FINAL TEAM

B:
Easton Wood, Alex Keath, Caleb Daniel
HB: Bailey Williams, Ryan Gardner, Hayden Crozier
C: Bailey Smith, Jack Macrae, Jason Johannisen
HF: Ed Richards, Josh Bruce, Mitch Wallis
F: Tom Liberatore, Aaron Naughton, Lachie Hunter
Foll: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley


Int: Zaine Cordy, Taylor Duryea, Pat Lipinski, Roarke Smith
Emer: Jackson Trengove, Ben Cavarra, Bailey Dale, Jordon Sweet
I like this team but would bring Cavarra in - probably for Roarke, who is unlucky, but we have too many defenders and lack a natural crumbed.
 

Bulldogs Legend

Norm Smith Medallist
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"Daniel is a smart little player, he knows how to shunt players out of the way to out mark them despite his size. Last year they were playing him like a tiny CHB and he got beaten some days but other times really stood up. Battle would be a lot harder to shove out of his way than some options. He's got so many tricks too, just gets out the back of play at exactly the right time. I'd bring Marsh in and just have him run through him at the first bounce to be honest."

Lol Saints
There making our board sound good!
 
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Leading up to the first final against the Eagles in 2016 absolutely no one gave us a chance of winning. And that includes the most one-eyed Bulldogs supporters. The Eagles were the hottest team heading into the finals having beaten a number of top 8 sides heading into the finals.
I get where you’re coming from but don’t rewrite history to suit your argument. In 2016 you could have said we were a step below West Coast, Hawthorn and Geelong but the team had another gear to go to in the finals and we all know what happened...
They key question’s are “do we have that extra gear this year” and “are we primed for it right now“.
I see a lot of similarities between our personal then and now and think the massive gap in onfield leadership at the club is overblown. The main difference is Matty Boyd and Dale Morris... the inclusions of Keath and Duryea are fair replacements and I think Gardner is shaping up to be the ‘Fletcher Roberts’ of 2016.
The exciting difference is our tall forwards. They are the X-factor and could explode in the finals just like Picko and Clay in 2016. English could go to another level just like Roughead in 2016... what I’m getting at is we had no idea that the boys had that in them in 4 years ago... I’m feeling similar vibes right now
At our best is an important omission from this reply. Form wasn't what I was talking about. You've missed my point.
 

Bulldogs Legend

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Saints have had an impressive year and they have shown more than we have. I worry about Butler and Hill opening us up. They also have our number in the Ruck contest with both Ryder and Marshall. They are pretty solid on every line.

Our strength is our midfield and it runs far deeper than any other side in the competition. If the guys in the middle fire we get enough chances to win - it then depends on some of our forwards standing up on the day and converting those half chances.

On our day, we can counter their strengths but too often this year we've wasted opportunities and not converted leaving ourselves exposed to being over-run.
This is line ball for mine because they appear to be playing with more passion than us.
I reckon English will hurt them going forward turning their strength into a weakness
 

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First time I've opened this thread (saved reading 475 posts :) ) so apologies if this has been mentioned already:

Bevo was reported as saying Aaron Naughton will definitely be right for the Elim Final following surgery on his depressed fracture of the cheekbone.
 
Saints have had an impressive year and they have shown more than we have. I worry about Butler and Hill opening us up. They also have our number in the Ruck contest with both Ryder and Marshall. They are pretty solid on every line.

Our strength is our midfield and it runs far deeper than any other side in the competition. If the guys in the middle fire we get enough chances to win - it then depends on some of our forwards standing up on the day and converting those half chances.

On our day, we can counter their strengths but too often this year we've wasted opportunities and not converted leaving ourselves exposed to being over-run.
This is line ball for mine because they appear to be playing with more passion than us.
I agree with your comments. This StKilda side is very different from the teams they've put out in recent years. Their recruiting has been excellent including 5 players traded in last season who have walked into their best 22 and made them much better balanced. The only area I can see where we might have an edge is the midfield but everywhere else they match us. Their form is also very sound including a smashing of the top team on their home ground just a few weeks ago. Only our very best 4 quarter effort will get us a victory, anything less will not be enough IMO.
 
The warm weather in Cairns may have been a good hit out for the guys.

20200928_095542.jpg
 

Yojimbo

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LOL yes finally Bevo got round to reading BF!
The club should there are some enlightened comments along with all the mindless abuse, i helped another team after we played them this year and they used it and it worked in well with their game style even though one of the names was different to who i suggested.
 
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