Dog Town
Premiership Player
- Joined
- May 18, 2003
- Posts
- 3,444
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- AFL Club
- Western Bulldogs
This is a pretty important game for us in terms of how we approach the rest of the year.Even if we dont make the finals we need to get something out of the season and take some momentum into next season.We dont want to fall back into the trap of players just running around aimlessly trying to get a kick.We have put far to much effort into this season for us to end up finishing 13 or 14th.I hope the players respond this week against a very good side.
Even in form and with our whole squad we would find it difficult this week against a side who is playing to a plan.Honestly have no idea how we will go about it this week.
The crows have statistically the number 1 defence in the competition by quite a margin.From what I have seen there game plan revolves pretty much around strangling teams by pushing numbers back and forcing the turnover and then streaming forward with handball.They are the only side in the competition who handballs more than us.We need to hunt in packs and keep tackling the way we have all year.We are now up to 3rd in the comp for tackles which is a massive turn around.We just need to pressure them when they have possesion.The way to stop teams who move the ball quickly with handballs is to not not over commit to contests.One player tackles and the other sweats on the releasing handball.
Up forward the crows have improved since the last time we played them.McGregor has gone forward and is as honest as they come.He will just present all day and unless we put someone who is prepared to contest and work all day on him then he will have an influence for them.Perrie generally contributes a couple of goals for them and also works pretty hard.Harris did the job on him last time.Welsh is back for them this week and was having a bit of a purple patch when he went out.Extremely dangerous player for them.Hargrave is the obvious one but I think Eade likes to keep him free on a lesser light if he possibly can.Harris could get him but that would leave us short for talls.Wouldn't be surprised if Morris gets him.He did a good job on Dixon who is a similar size.That also depends on whether Eade wants to use Morris as a tagger in the midfield again.
Midfield will be massive again.West and Cross dominated last time against the crows and will need to have similar games.If we can win the ball out of the centre then we might be able to unsettle there defence before they can push back to help out.Roo,Goodwin,Thompson and Shirley will probably be there front line in the midfield.Apparently Shirley is likely to tag West.Cooney should do some damage for us as he enjoyed footy park last time we were there.
Our forwards need to be very switched on defensively.Mcloud has been playing off half back for them and someone like Robbins will need to keep a leash on him.We need to be careful that we dont turn the ball over coming forward if they do decide to get numbers behind the ball.Hopefully we can get the ball to guys like Gilbee and Eagleton and kick some long goals.Rutten has been great for them this year.Darcy is probably the only guy to really cut loose on him.I would favour sitting Grant in the square for his come back game.He is smart with his positioning and you know he will give other guys opportunities.
Even in form and with our whole squad we would find it difficult this week against a side who is playing to a plan.Honestly have no idea how we will go about it this week.
The crows have statistically the number 1 defence in the competition by quite a margin.From what I have seen there game plan revolves pretty much around strangling teams by pushing numbers back and forcing the turnover and then streaming forward with handball.They are the only side in the competition who handballs more than us.We need to hunt in packs and keep tackling the way we have all year.We are now up to 3rd in the comp for tackles which is a massive turn around.We just need to pressure them when they have possesion.The way to stop teams who move the ball quickly with handballs is to not not over commit to contests.One player tackles and the other sweats on the releasing handball.
Up forward the crows have improved since the last time we played them.McGregor has gone forward and is as honest as they come.He will just present all day and unless we put someone who is prepared to contest and work all day on him then he will have an influence for them.Perrie generally contributes a couple of goals for them and also works pretty hard.Harris did the job on him last time.Welsh is back for them this week and was having a bit of a purple patch when he went out.Extremely dangerous player for them.Hargrave is the obvious one but I think Eade likes to keep him free on a lesser light if he possibly can.Harris could get him but that would leave us short for talls.Wouldn't be surprised if Morris gets him.He did a good job on Dixon who is a similar size.That also depends on whether Eade wants to use Morris as a tagger in the midfield again.
Midfield will be massive again.West and Cross dominated last time against the crows and will need to have similar games.If we can win the ball out of the centre then we might be able to unsettle there defence before they can push back to help out.Roo,Goodwin,Thompson and Shirley will probably be there front line in the midfield.Apparently Shirley is likely to tag West.Cooney should do some damage for us as he enjoyed footy park last time we were there.
Our forwards need to be very switched on defensively.Mcloud has been playing off half back for them and someone like Robbins will need to keep a leash on him.We need to be careful that we dont turn the ball over coming forward if they do decide to get numbers behind the ball.Hopefully we can get the ball to guys like Gilbee and Eagleton and kick some long goals.Rutten has been great for them this year.Darcy is probably the only guy to really cut loose on him.I would favour sitting Grant in the square for his come back game.He is smart with his positioning and you know he will give other guys opportunities.
