Form line:
Dogs have only suffered the one loss, last week against the Tigers, while we have won 3 of our last 5 and weren't blown away in those 2 losses
H2H:
Recently, last 3 games, we have matched up well against the Dogs. A 3 point loss, but with a couple of convincing wins, 44 and 52 point wins
Styles In Summary
Dogs play a quick possession game, which is generally based with multiple handballs from the stoppage until they can clear it forward with long kicking or to the outside, hitting shorter targets. Blues under the Teague current gamplan is a 5th gear attacking style, that most times seems to lack the tempo layers and composure needed
How to stop/beat the Dogs:
WE CAN'T CONCEDED 60+ ENTRIES TO THIS SIDE!!
Mentioned prior to the Tigers game, that you have to deny the Dogs first possession at the stoppage/disputed ball and or releasing with multiple handballs. While they do this, they peel extremely well, ensuring the ball carrier has multiple options/targets in every direction. If coming out the front of stoppages, they kick long and or weigh their kicks very well to the advantage of strong tall targets forward such as Naughton, English and Bruce that has rediscovered better form compared to last year. If they peel sideways or out the back, they use multiple options by hand and short kicking, where they surge it quickly so the forwards still have space to hurt the opposition.
So, how to stop the Dogs, easier said than done. While we don't have the consistency of the frontal pressure of the Tigers (not many sides do), we will need to condense the ground and make it a contested game, while still being mindful of their outlet players. Winning first possession and or smothering their handball outlet is the key, force them to kick from congestion as their first option, where hopefully Teague adopts a +1 behind the ball and allows us to intercept and or have extra numbers to regain possession
How to beat the Dogs is more around how we use it, rather than relying on the opposition turning it over. We saw in the 2nd half against that Bombers that we played with more composure, switching, finding shorter targets, hand and foot, but still with enough momentum to allow us break the centreline, so forward of the ball wasn't congested. We just can't rush coming off our half back line, or being forced to kick to their half backline where the setup very well to protect an undersized backline. Move the ball with composed momentum, so when we are kicking to the likes of Harry, it is that hotspot 20 metres from goal or a hit up lead inside forward 50
Ins/Outs: TBC (Purely opinion at this stage)
Blues: Out - Gov, Dow (Both injured?). In - JSOS, Williams ( if fit)/Setters
Dogs: Out - Schache, JJ, Scott (Possibly injured). - In Wallis, Vandemeer, English
Match ups:
While the game will be won/lost between the arcs, we need to matchup well all over the ground
- Weitering - Bruce. Collectively, deny the leading lane
- Jones - Naughton. Everyone needs to apply some body pressure before the contest and or Jones to play him from in front and or his left shoulder, NOT from behind
- When English is forward, this will trouble us, even if there is pressure on the incoming kick. We will have to reshuffle and play an undersized Parks on Bruce
- Ed - McCrae. - Need to deny their drive and accurate disposal
- Bont - Setters. This is why I would prefer Setters, as I believe he matches up well all over the ground and is disciplined enough to stick to a dangerous player
- Cripps - Libba. - Purely H2H
- Newnes - Smith. - Has the speed/engine/experience and has been playing a defensive role in recent weeks
- Cotts - Hunter. Deny him as an outlet and work him the other way
- Cordy/Keath - Harry. This is the advantage we must capitalize on, but H should not get carried away with the size difference and needs to hit up to the ball carrier/fat side of the ground
- Cordy/Keath - Levi. Change of tactic this week, play Levi deep in the square and or rolling there as often as possible, which will put Cordy under pressure on the last line
- Wood - Jsos. - Hit up high so Wood can't be that 3rd player in the contest
- Owies - Daniel. - Pressure all day, just deny the ball and or space to be that outlet
Prediction:
Within 20 points either way
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