Dogs

[Monkster]

Then you have a problem sir....Bazza hasn't taken a pack mark since 2005. But he will be a handy lead-up forward if he stays fit/sane.

I said contest not pack, contested marks can still be done one on one, like he did last night a couple of times.

 

[Sttew]

Looked good last night, BUT let's not forget why Hall "retired" last year. A leopard does not change its spots, and not one who is 34 yo. Just how long will it take for Hall to crack, and what methods will oppositions use to crack him?

My prediction - Dogs will blitz the first 6 or so rounds, and may be the first half of the season, but will then fall away 2H. Still a top 4 position, but premiership? No.

 

[Mofra]

But seriously, i forgot we were playing you guys first round, with our back line, he should kick 3-5.

If he drags Presti out of the F50 I'd count his contribution in the non-tangibles.

 

[Barnzy]

Hawks played 14 players with 20 games experience or less. The win and flogging was expected. Overreaction to a NAB Cup win once again.

 

[Poptart]

Rioli is our best player so that is a given.

Bateman is easily better than all bar one or two Dogs.

The third is a stretch I agree.

Clearly taking the piss...

 

[gangsta deluxe]

I'm happy about last night because it showed good signs, in areas that we were lacking last year. The result was meaningless, seeing Aker crumb the ball from Hall immediately was brilliant. Seeing the difficulty the Hawks had dealing with a constantly changing forward structure was brilliant. This is the main thing I like about Hall, we have another change in our forward line. It is so diverse now that it would be a nightmare to match up on. One minute we are targeting hall, with Hill taking grabs too. All of a sudden he comes off and we are aiming at options everywhere. The defenders cant constantly be aware of this, and there are periods in which we will run away.

It isn't just the need for a key forward that Hall fulfills (though this will help come finals time) it is the diversity it adds to an already multi pronged forward line.

The game was nothing for the Hawks to be concerned about, it is the NAB cup. All it gives them, in my opinion, is the desire to experiment over the next couple of weeks with their defensive structure. However, they have a long time to work it out. The defense will only hurt them when they come up against teams which have a midfield that is good enough to get on top of them for a while. There are only about three or four teams that can do this. They have all year to work out the defense that works for them, and it is possible, particularly when the team as a whole has only one other problem - their rucks. They will get better, have no doubt. Gibson will NOT be their main defender by seasons end. The rucks will learn to work with the midfielders, and there will be a cohesive defensive structure by the end of the year.

 

[H2F]

I'm happy about last night because it showed good signs, in areas that we were lacking last year. The result was meaningless, seeing Aker crumb the ball from Hall immediately was brilliant. Seeing the difficulty the Hawks had dealing with a constantly changing forward structure was brilliant. This is the main thing I like about Hall, we have another change in our forward line. It is so diverse now that it would be a nightmare to match up on. One minute we are targeting hall, with Hill taking grabs too. All of a sudden he comes off and we are aiming at options everywhere. The defenders cant constantly be aware of this, and there are periods in which we will run away.

It isn't just the need for a key forward that Hall fulfills (though this will help come finals time) it is the diversity it adds to an already multi pronged forward line.

The game was nothing for the Hawks to be concerned about, it is the NAB cup. All it gives them, in my opinion, is the desire to experiment over the next couple of weeks with their defensive structure. However, they have a long time to work it out. The defense will only hurt them when they come up against teams which have a midfield that is good enough to get on top of them for a while. There are only about three or four teams that can do this. They have all year to work out the defense that works for them, and it is possible, particularly when the team as a whole has only one other problem - their rucks. They will get better, have no doubt. Gibson will NOT be their main defender by seasons end. The rucks will learn to work with the midfielders, and there will be a cohesive defensive structure by the end of the year.

Have for a while labelled you the smartest guy on BF, as always you vindicate this with every post.

spot on !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Have no doubt about it, the Bulldogs are a team on a mission. They'll go very well in 2010, and as a Hawks supporter I don't feel particularly bad about anything that happened out there last night. There's a long season ahead.

 

[#14Ward]

I give you Rioli. Bateman....phhht....good player, nothing more.

Just off the top of my head I'd take the following before him;
Cooney
Lake
Boyd
Gilbee
Morris
Higgins
Murphy
Harbrow

I'd chuck in Cross, Akermanis, Hall, Johnson and Hargrave to that list..

 

[The Chiefton]

Okay Monkster. Essendon knocked the Bulldogs out of the NAB Cup in 2008 and 2009, remember? Real form guide stuff.

The Dogs are a great side and will give the premiership a red hot go this season, but the NAB Cup is just Mickey Mouse stuff. Hawthorn are much better than that.

Ahh no they're not mate. Great sides make grand finals (and win premierships) and until they do either, they will never be seen as great.
Geelong are great, Western Bulldogs are not.

 

[Bart Wilson]

Dogs arent great ... yet but I reckon they will be Hall looked fitter than i thought he could get.

the dogs could very well go that extra step no doubt about it.

 

[The Donners]

Did you watch the game with your head up your ass?

Na, I watched the game without my blinkers on, it's NAB Cup FFS.

 

[The Donners]

I said contest not pack, contested marks can still be done one on one, like he did last night a couple of times.

Remind us all on who he was playing on.

 

[The Donners]

Ahh no they're not mate. Great sides make grand finals (and win premierships) and until they do either, they will never be seen as great.
Geelong are great, Western Bulldogs are not.

Exactly, there's nothing great about the Bulldogs. They're not the best in any area on the ground nor are they better than Geelong or St. Kilda overrall - to name just two.

 

[St 07]

At everyone basing their opinions on a NAB Cup game.

I'm just sad thinking about how much us doggie supporters have to look forward to this season compared to say, someone like The Donners.

I'd be pent up in anger too.

 

[cleveland]

It was the nab cup, time to move on.

 

[Pigdog]

Exactly, there's nothing great about the Bulldogs. They're not the best in any area on the ground nor are they better than Geelong or St. Kilda overrall - to name just two.

Name another one?

 

[SA HAWK]

Anyone who doesn't notice form in the NAB cup should not comment on football.

You did look very good friday night but don't forget Carlton won the nab cup and finished bottom in the same year.

 

[The Donners]

At everyone basing their opinions on a NAB Cup game.

I'm just sad thinking about how much us doggie supporters have to look forward to this season compared to say, someone like The Donners.

I'd be pent up in anger too.

Difference being I'm not under an illusion that my club will win the 2010 premiership.

 

[Smyth94]

You did look very good friday night but don't forget Carlton won the nab cup and finished bottom in the same year.

So? Geelong won it last year and were premiers.

I hate how people trot out the fact that Carlton won it a few times and then finished last - in fact if you look at most of the teams that have done well in the history of the pre-season comp, most of them have made the finals, gone deep in finals or won the flag.

 

[The Donners]

Name another one?

Collingwood.

 

[SA HAWK]

Rioli
Bateman
Young
Burgoyne
Hooper
Guerra
Gilham
Osbourne
Renouf
Dowler

The highlighted players are NOT in our best 22.

 

[SA HAWK]

So? Geelong won it last year and were premiers.

I hate how people trot out the fact that Carlton won it a few times and then finished last - in fact if you look at most of the teams that have done well in the history of the pre-season comp, most of them have made the finals, gone deep in finals or won the flag.

My point is having a good nab cup doesn't always mean you wll have a good season. Even Geelong won it in 06 and missed the 8.

I do think the dogs are a lock for top 4 and a genuine chance for the flag this year.

 

[AG]

Doesn't it depend if Rioli goes into the middle and if you want a third tall type up forward?

 

[The Donners]

So? Geelong won it last year and were premiers.

I hate how people trot out the fact that Carlton won it a few times and then finished last - in fact if you look at most of the teams that have done well in the history of the pre-season comp, most of them have made the finals, gone deep in finals or won the flag.

4 teams since 1990 have actually won the pre-season cup and the premiership.

6 teams have failed to reach the finals after winning the pre-season cup.