Opinion Mid Year Review

[Trent85]

I thought since we (WB) have a 15 day break that we should take this chance for a mid-year review.

This is a chance for people to rate/discuss everything from our team performances to individual performances, highlights/lowlights, have we performed better/worse than you expected so far this year?, what has/hasn’t worked, what would you like to see change for the 2nd half of the year etc..

This is not a trade/delist, B-Mac should be sacked thread etc. it’s a review of how we have been so far this year.

We are currently sitting 14th on 3 wins 7 loses http://www.afl.com.au/ladder

Round By Round Summary
Round 1
WESTERN BULLDOGS 6.1 10.5 16.9 19.13 (127)
BRISBANE LIONS 0.6 3.10 5.14 7.17 (59)

GOALSGiansiracusa 3, Higgins 3, Cordy 2, Dahlhaus 2, Murphy 2, Dickson 2, Griffen 2, Jones, Johannisen, Cooney
BESTGoodes, Griffen, Minson, Murphy, Liberatore, Higgins, Lower, Roughead, Stevens
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/1/wb-v-bl

Round 2
WESTERN BULLDOGS 1.1 5.5 7.7 11.12 (78)
FREMANTLE 6.2 9.6 13.9 16.10 (106)

GOALSDahlhaus 3, Cross 2, Murphy 2, Cooney, Smith, Lower, Cordy
BESTLiberatore, Cooney, Lower, Dahlhaus, Minson
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/2/wb-v-fre

Round 3
RICHMOND 4.9 7.11 13.14 20.15 (135)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.1 3.3 6.5 10.8 (68)

GOALS Jones 4, Cooney 2, Stevens, Griffen, Giansiracusa, Dahlhaus
BEST Cooney, Griffen, Jones, Morris, Wallis
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/3/rich-v-wb

Round 4
ADELAIDE 2.3 4.5 9.7 12.8 (80)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.2 2.2 2.3 4.4 (28)

GOALS Cooney 2, Boyd, Macrae
BESTCooney, Liberatore, Minson, Boyd, Goodes, Wallis
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/4/adel-v-wb

Round 5
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.1 6.3 10.6 13.8 (86)
GEELONG 5.5 10.9 15.12 15.17 (107)

GOALS Jones 4, Stringer 3, Smith 2, Cooney 2, Dahlhaus, Roughead
BEST Boyd, Jones, Picken, Minson, Cooney, Liberatore
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/5/wb-v-geel

Round 6
WEST COAST 6.3 10.4 16.7 21.11 (137)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.0 5.2 8.3 10.7 (67)

GOALS Smith 2, Addison, Cooney, Lower, Macrae, Stringer, Tutt, Wallis, Jones
BESTSmith, Boyd, Cooney, Addison, Minson
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/6/wce-v-wb

Round 7
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.1 7.3 11.7 15.7 (97)
NORTH MELBOURNE 5.5 8.11 13.14 22.19 (151)

GOALS Giansiracusa 4, Markovic 3, Murphy 2, Griffen, Minson, Dahlhaus, Smith, Wallis, Austin
BESTGriffen, Minson, Lower, Markovic, Murphy, Dahlhaus
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/7/wb-v-nmfc

Round 8
GOLD COAST 1.3 4.7 11.11 13.15 (93)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 3.4 5.6 6.10 8.13 (61)

GOALS Stringer 3, Markovic 2, Giansiracusa, Jones, Murphy
BESTCooney, Murphy, Griffen, Boyd, Macrae
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/8/gcfc-v-wb

Round 9
ST KILDA 3.2 8.4 11.9 15.11 (101)
WESTERN BULLDOGS 5.4 6.6 11.7 17.8 (110)

GOALS Addison 4, Stevens 3, Roughead, Hrovat, Smith, Griffen, Goodes, Dahlhaus, Griffen, Murphy, Giansiracusa, Jones
BESTStevens, Griffen, Minson, Hrovat, Murphy, Goodes, Addison, Johannisen, Boyd
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/9/stk-v-wb

Round 10
WESTERN BULLDOGS 2.0 4.0 9.4 10.7 (67)
PORT ADELAIDE 3.3 5.5 5.9 8.10 (58)

GOALSGiansiracusa 2, Jones, Williams, Griffen, Minson, Addison, Murphy, Dahlhaus, Johannisen
BEST Griffen, Liberatore, Giansiracusa, Morris, Murphy, Minson, Goodes
http://www.afl.com.au/match-centre/2013/10/wb-v-port

Links for more resources for those who need them
Stats: http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/team/statistics
http://www.afl.com.au/stats
http://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/th-western-bulldogs

Player Reviews/Ratings:http://www.afl.com.au/stats/player-ratings/ratings-hub
http://www.aflplayerratings.com.au/Ratings/Club/18/Western-Bulldogs

 

[Dav1d]

I think somewhere in the middle for me, expect us to perform a little better against Freo at home, North and Adelaide; definately expected us to beat Gold Coast...didn't expect us to beat St Kilda, so I am moderately happy

 

[timtamWB]

A lot better. I thought we would struggle a lot more, but we're on three wins, been competitive in most games. All of our traded players/free agents have come in and played every game they've been available for, Stringer Macrae and Hrovat all playing and all have played good games. Hunter tearing it up in the VFL, with Prudden showing signs. Minsons and Griff both in AA form as well as the return of Cooney!

Of course we still can get blown away but we've got a much clearer picture of where we're headed now.

 

[lachy]

Great thread. Just think the middle option should read, where I thought

 

[Trent85]

Great thread. Just think the middle option should read, where I thought

That sounds better can a mod change it for me.

 

[GrandBlue]

Bad. Some recent good form against mediocre teams doesn't make up for all those thrashings.

 

[stefoid]

The midfield is where we have to get better in order to beat decent opposition.

Griffen Unbelievable workrate - would probably only have the one win against the lions if not for Grif. But for mine seems to either handball or kick long - Id like to see him spot up shorter targets by foot occasionally. Perhaps thats too hard an ask with the opposition hard tag hanging off him 100% of the time.

Dalhaus doesnt seem to be taking them on with the ball as much as he should, but his defensive pressure is first rate. I think he might be under instruction (like the whole team), to put defence as a priority, but it affects him more than some because he is such a naturally attacking player.

Libba has been inconsistant - some brilliant games, some average games. Im not sure whether they coincide with Boyd being in/out. Perhaps he is just best when he is the inside man, and with Boyd in the team, his output suffers due to sharing that responsibility?

Stevens. Inconsistant. Some talk of nursing a cork that got re-corked against Port. That might explain some of it.

Wallis. Cant get a handle on Wally Jnr. Id like to know what specific things he was dropped for. For mine, he is just not damaging enough with the ball.

Smith. Lively, but his field kicking is a lottery.

Boyd. Played his best game against the saints. Hopefully will run into that kind of form again soon.

Cross. Is Cross, but the team doesnt need more Cross -- it needs more ball carrying and quick and accurate ball movement by foot.

Hrovat, Macrae: These guys are in the same boat - they bring more of what we need but are babies that cant be relied on until next year. Will benefit greatly from playing every game physically possible in '13.

Cooney: Is being used in the back half because we need someone like him in the back half, and its easier on his knee. Im not sure if we can count on him to be a midfielder ever again? If he was fully fit...

 

[VitalDread]

i reckon this season has impressed me more then last season
the geelong game was the turning point for me when we kept them goal less in the 4th q

then once our kids started to gain some much needed on field experience we are starting to show great signs thanks to player management from macca and his coaches.

i reckon we will win 4 more games by the end of the year

though my heart says "yes lets win as many as we can"
my head wants us to lose as many to gain draft picks.

 

[Trent85]

Bad. Some recent good form against mediocre teams doesn't make up for all those thrashings.

Could you expand on that if you wouldn't mind.

I want people to be able to discuss both sides of the argument and I'm sure people would like to hear more from your perspective.
If you don't want to I understand but I think the mods will keep on top of personal attacks, trolling etc.

 

[Dazb86]

I've fluctuated a bit with my disappointment. Then I remind myself I only had us winning 3 games this year. I think the round 1 win got my hopes up.

Major positive for mine has been this years draft crop. Macrae in particular is way further ahead then where I thought he'd be.

 

[Dazb86]

Bad games - Richmond, Adelaide, Gold coast (they might just be getting better though)

Good games - Brisbane, St Kilda, Geelong, North for 3 Q's

 

[GrandBlue]

Could you expand on that if you wouldn't mind.

I want people to be able to discuss both sides of the argument and I'm sure people would like to hear more from your perspective.
If you don't want to I understand but I think the mods will keep on top of personal attacks, trolling etc.

Pretty much everything I've said in the Port vs Bulldogs Autopsy Thread has been an issue throughout the year. We're not moving the ball forward proficiently & we're really struggling to get the ball out of defense (Johannisen is the only one doing it semi-consistently).

I really can't be bothered elaborating too much from here though. It's become apparent to me that if I don't conform to the same belief most of this board shares, I'm perceived as an idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

[josh the gent]

Well, I thought we would win 2 games in the first half of the season, so ahead on that front I suppose.

Mind you, I thought that we'd beat Brisbane and Gold Coast, not St Kilda or Port...

We are pretty much where we ought to be I reckon, and I fully expect us to finish with 6 wins.

I have a feeling it might push us ahead of some other teams, so I had a quick run through of the games on the AFL ladder predictor to see where we might finish...

Pick 1 - GWS (0 wins). Don't think they'll win a single game this season.
Pick 2 - Melb (2 wins). They'll win against GWS, and that is it.
Pick 3 - St Kilda (5 wins).
Pick 4 - WB (6 wins).
Pick 5 - GC (6 wins).
Pick 6 - BL (8 wins).
Pick 7 - PA (8 wins).

So similar to last year, I will be cheering us on in every game, but also cheering on St Kilda, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Port to snag a few upset wins too.

 

[Trent85]

Pretty much everything I've said in the Port vs Bulldogs Autopsy Thread has been an issue throughout the year. We're not moving the ball forward proficiently & we're really struggling to get the ball out of defense (Johannisen is the only one doing it semi-consistently).

I really can't be bothered elaborating too much from here though. It's become apparent to me that if I don't conform to the same belief most of this board shares, I'm perceived as an idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about.

I for one can't fault what you are asking is our ball movement and rebounding game improved?
If I had to answer it I would say that its getting better slowly it want happen over night but I think some savvy choices at selection table have help immensely.

As for the other thing I hope you don't get deterred from posting because the more people who highlight our flaws etc. is a good thing it shows that you care about the RW&B and want to see them get better.

It maybe more a question of timing and people not understanding what you are conveying.

 

[Morris Major]

Excellent: Brisbane, St Kilda
Very good/Good: Port Geelong
Good/Average: Freo North
Disgraceful: Richmond Adelaide GC

...and that's why I voted 'average'

 

[Cudi]

I said in a thread in pre-season that I'd expect us to win 6-8 games for the year and I'd be happy with that. With 3 wins and 3 games against Melbourne and GWS left we should get there, I expect us to pinch another game somewhere as well most likely one of Adel, Bris or Rich. So we are where I thought we would be and hopefully have a stronger finish to the year than last year.

 

[josh the gent]

Excellent: Brisbane, St Kilda
Very good/Good: Port Geelong
Good/Average: Freo North
Disgraceful: Richmond Adelaide GC

...and that's why I voted 'average'

Agree with all bar GC - where I think we were average, not disgraceful.

We were only bad for 15 mins in the third quarter really.

 

[timtamWB]

With the GC game, apart from that third quarter, it wasn't such a bad game. I think a lot of us underestimated Gold Coast going into the game so we were surprised when we lost like we did. In hindsight we can see GC are better than we were then and are now. So not such a bad result as first thought.

 

[dogzrule]

Average for me, Lions win a highlight.We have not beaten much and Gold Coast loss was very disappointing although encouraging that the kick in the are after that loss we have shown some spirit and won last 2.

Most disappointing moments, Wood, Cordy, Higgins and Williams all
injured again.

Highlights, McRae, Hrovat, stringer.

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

I guess - I am with a few of the others. I expected 5-7 wins (possible may be likely if we don't bring it home like last year).

Also hoped to see better than 59% of our new adds holding down a place by the end of the year - so far overachieved.

Development of our existing players: Roughead, Griff, JJ and Addison have come on. Jones is a bit better. Cooney more medical, the great hoped Williams and Higgins and Wood injured so can't do much there. On the negative Cordy didn't look much better before injury, Picken is still good but hasn't improved . Howard, Tutt, Grant, Vez slipped down the pecking order so pass at best

 

[fronkalicious]

Average for mine.

Disappointments:

1. Style of footy we played from rounds 2-9. Awful.

2. Lack of improvement from Howard, grant, Tutt, Pearce, wallis.

3. Took too long to make the hard call and drop senior players to improve the balance of the side.


Positives:

1. Jones back to looking like a keeper at chf.

2. Young and Stevens look like long term players.

3. Macrae. He's a star in the making. Waaaaay ahead of where I thought he'd be.

4. Other draftees all looking very good. Well pleased with last years draft haul.

5. Jj, roughie and Libba continue to rise. Good stuff.

 

[NthBondiDoggies]

Hit send when I got a 'get off the boards' look from my wife!! So to finish

What I most wanted to see was truth to the talk - ie we have a system we are building - we will suffer pain until we get there but we will execute on this. I am most pleased that this is what we have seen. We rank very well in contested ball - our Defence is getting better, recruiting is better as is our KE. This is what we were told we would focus on and it is what is happening. On this basis we can have faith that ball movement and Attack will follow.

So overall a 7 out of 10 based on expectations being fairly low - but I think reasonable.

 

[yebiga]

Average but with more than a hint of something better to come

 

[100action]

My Mid Season Review (graded according to expectation)

10: Minson
9: Liberatore, Macrae
8: Griffen, Hrovat
7: Cooney, Murphy, Morris, JJ, Stringer, Hunter
6: Lower, Stevens, Roughead, Young, Smith, Prudden
5: Jones, Talia
4: Gia, Dahlhaus, Goodes
3: Roberts
2: Boyd, Higgins, Picken, Williams, Addison, Wood, Wallis, Austin, Dickson, Vesz, Campbell, Redpath
1: Cross, Cordy, Tutt, Markovic, Howard, Pearce

 

[timtamWB]

My Mid Season Review (graded according to expectation)

10: Minson
9: Liberatore, Macrae
8: Griffen, Hrovat
7: Cooney, Murphy, Morris, JJ, Stringer, Hunter
6: Lower, Stevens, Roughead, Young, Smith, Prudden
5: Jones, Talia
4: Gia, Dahlhaus, Goodes
3: Roberts
2: Boyd, Higgins, Picken, Williams, Addison, Wood, Wallis, Austin, Dickson, Vesz, Campbell, Redpath
1: Cross, Cordy, Tutt, Markovic, Howard, Pearce

How high were your expectations of Jones? I would have him at least a 7 going on expectations.