News Side for Bulldogs - final team

[The Panther]

We aren't a bottom 8 side that is concerned about developing our team for the future. We are a contender now, we can't be gifting games to blokes because they are young. You perform while you're in the seniors or you're back in the twos, simple as that.

Whilst I agree with the general tone, I think you're grossly wrong.

Dawes was our best forward for a half last week. Yes, not good enough, but hardly dropable form.

RE the contender claim, yes, we are up there. I'd have Geelong then daylight then St. Kilda & a gap to us. We aren't going to rise up to these levels with Leigh Brown & Josh Fraser.

At least with the ilk of Dawes, you are putting games in him & he will only become better with the experience. When the likes of Geelong/St. Kilda fall in the next few years, this is what will take us forward.

 

[Invigoration]

Certainly dropable form as evidenced by him being dropped.

He hasn't been good enough and people in the twos have been, if people cut their emotional ties to Dawes (it's bordering on Danny Stanley infatuation levels at the moment) they'd probably realise that.

We aren't in the business of gifting blokes games because they might improve us going forward. We are most certainly a contender now, we were 10 points up midway through the third against the Cats. Now isn't the time to be concerned about a few years down the track, we're 7-3 and pushing for a flag, our best team needs to take the field every week, regardless of whether they are a fan favourite or not.

And when the likes of Geelong/St.Kilda fall in the next few years, Dawes being dropped for poor form won't be what affects our chances. If he is truly going to make his mark in the next few years, he'll earn the right to do it and not be fed the chance on a platter.

 

[Number 10]

I'm a culprit to this sort of banter, but we have to keep in mind... Mick isn't the ONLY person who chooses the side. Obviously they have better footy brains at the club than on this forum, otherwise we would be the ones getting paid.
So, ease up on Malthouse for a second.
Everyone has said it, Leroy will get owned, Dawes needs experience...etc.
The fact is, EVERYONE gets owned playing 1 on 1 with Lake, its just a fact of life. But, I can see Brown being far more effective than Dawes in this contest (with Dawes' poor marking skills atm)...If Brown plays forward!
Fraser may play FF and take Lake...and really, that is a good move - removing one of the best FB from the game.

Anyway, all is not lost, Lake will keep any one of Leigh or Fraser or Dawes to minimal score, it's just a matter of WHO can be used to the best of our advantage in this game and out of the 3 (going on form, history etc) it is most certainly Leigh and not Dawes.

It is stiff on Dawes but he has had a mighty good run, shown promise and will build from this - just like N. Brown, Barham and Anthony.

 

[pinky951]

We aren't a bottom 8 side that is concerned about developing our team for the future. We are a contender now, we can't be gifting games to blokes because they are young. You perform while you're in the seniors or you're back in the twos, simple as that.

Yep, Dawes looks very promising but he needs to know he has to work hard to keep his spot, certainly needs to address a few things like his overhead marking. Even if he isn't marking he isn't bringing the ball to the front, he is letting it go by which is not going to help the crumbers that are returning to the side.

We've lost two in a row and hardly bothered the scoreboard, Mick had to do something and with people tearing it apart in the magoos what else can he do. Good changes for mine.

 

[Kirk Hinrich #12]

For the first time ever I wont be pissed off if we loose this weekend. When Malthouse picks by far our worst team all year he might grow a brain.
L Brown should never play for Collingwood again and Dawes should be in the side regardless for development. He needs the game time so come later in the year he has been playing to the structure all year. Putting him in the 2s does nothing.

 

[Avni]

Inb4 TD commits mass genocide.

 

[docks]

Why oh why does Davis get back in? I just don't get it...

 

[pinky951]

Have you never seen the Neon Leon play??

 

[KissStephanie]

Leroy has earned his spot, and was one of our best against the dogs in round one. I'm not thrilled about Dawes being out, but more because I think Cloke **** better with him there.

Are you trying to say that Cloke's **** look better when compared to Dawes' ****? That's rude. I have faith in the forward line coach though, and I think the team can create a similar situation with the players that have been selected.

The big danger is that Leory kicks two and stays on for the rest of the season.

Maybe he'll kick three march winning goals, and spend a little time in the backline as well when he thumps Barry Hall and cops a two match suspension, and then he can't get back into the team. That would be a great outcome!

 

[herecomesbilly]

how much longer do we have to put up with zig and zag [fraser and wood] they are both crap ffsake Brown in for either of these no hopers how much longer do we have to put up with either of these DUDS Get over it WE will never ever be any good with either of theses duds week after week excuse after excuse they are nothing but DUDS bring back Steve McKee PLEASE Any game one of these 2 are in we play a man down FACT They are both shit Someone had to say it

 

[camo2572]

good team changes I like it, with Dawes out makes Lake go to Cloke now just watch cloke run him all over the ground, instead of being a rebounding fullback now he must stick on someone,Fraser and leroy will alternate deep.
got a good feeling for this game. pies by 25

 

[herecomesbilly]

Surely you didn't have to stop there. Did you run out of insults? Anyway, thanks so much for your constructive criticism. No wonder the players don't like so-called supporters such as you that have nothing to say apart from mindless bagging.Well it was just a matter of time before some negative imbecile started bagging one or more Collingwood players, whilst adding absolutely nothing whatsover.

i apologize your royal high ness



If you cant see we are a player short everytimeone of these 2 are in the side you have to be blind

Im saying leroy in atleast he as a go and another runner in [tarkyn or dick] for these 2 who both have been very very ordinary at best

Christ you cop somecrap on here when you state the facts, jesus no wonder we just make the numbers up year after year.

 

[WEARETHEMAGPIES]

The changes were fine until I noticed one of the changes that we done and now i just feel sick. DAWES OUT FOR BROWN??? yeppp back to the old days.. develop dawesy, leave him in there, should of considered mccaffer out.
Me personally would of left mccaffer and dawes in there, but MM has hit panic button! ah well what ya do, just stick by the boys and hope, but really cant see brown having a impact at all on us going for the big one this year!

 

[KissStephanie]

how much longer do we have to put up with zig and zag [fraser and wood]

What do you mean by "put up with?" Nobody is forcing you to put up with anything if you don't want to. You're free to barrack for any other team you choose, and the club doesn't owe you anything of course.

they are both crap ffsake Brown in for either of these no hopers how much longer do we have to put up with either of these duds week after week excuse after excuse

Again, you don't have to put up with anything if you don't want to of course. It's up to you. If you decide to leave, then don't let the door hit you on the way out!

they are nothing but DUDS bring back Steve McKee PLEASE Any game one of these 2 are in we play a man down FACT They are both shit

Surely you didn't have to stop there. Did you run out of insults? Anyway, thanks so much for your constructive criticism. No wonder the players don't like so-called supporters such as you that have nothing to say apart from mindless bagging.

Someone had to say it

Well it was just a matter of time before some negative imbecile started bagging one or more Collingwood players, whilst adding absolutely nothing whatsover.

 

[camo2572]

yep I agree about giving our young players a chance to develop but thats what the vfl is for if they are ready they come in, once their form tapers off back to the two's to gain confidience,
Dawes started well but his last 2 weeks been below average so back he goes, its not a charity here, you MUST earn your stripes.
So all the knowitalls here firstly look at the side the dogs picked then look at the potential match ups,Lake wouldve killed Dawes especially since Dawes cant mark a ball above his chest. Brown has 200 games is physical wont take crap and has been dominate in the 2's he deserves a go.
Besides i will be surprised if lake plays on Brown he will go to Cloke now that Dawes is out, and Cloke will tear him up over the ground, Its a big game for Cloke he must perform

 

[KissStephanie]

If you cant see we are a player short everytimeone of these 2 are in the side you have to be blind

Of course Collingwood are not a player short every time either of these two players are in the team, and I am not blind. That said, Josh Fraser has had continual injury problems so far this season, and Cameron Wood has gone backwards on some promising performances in 2009.

He was first ruckman in his best games last season though, and I'm sure he is still adjusting to being the second ruckman when he has played in the seniors this season. He is not shit though. He is not a dud though. He is not a clown though, or any of the other insults you came out with.

Im saying leroy in atleast he as a go and another runner in [tarkyn or dick] for these 2 who both have been very very ordinary at best

Well I disagree with you. Leigh Brown is not a ruckman, and I completely support the idea of playing a second ruckman in support of Darren Jolly. Brad Dick is in Collingwood's best team, and Tarkyn Lockyer is on the edge of a recall, but they should not replace a second ruckman in my opinion.

Christ you cop somecrap on here when you state the facts, jesus no wonder we just make the numbers up year after year.

What facts have you posted? I didn't see any facts. All I saw was some mindless player bashing that was not the slightest bit constructive and it was completely unfair and over the top. By the way, when has Collingwood just made up the numbers year after year, and are you trying to suggest that playing Leigh Brown as the sole ruckman at the expense of both Fraser and Wood last year would have made a difference to where the team finished in 2009?

 

[docks]

Have you never seen the Neon Leon play??

GF2002, GF2003 and every final since he has let us down, every big game where there is pressure and close scores he lets us down, every other team can see it, every commentator MM just refuses to concede he was wrong. No point in him ever playing again coz if we do make it to the finals...he will sadly let us down again. The Geelong game was the proverbial straw for me.

 

[Ickirus]

Happy that Meds and Davis are back, but a midget forward line will just play into Lake's hands who will play deep 50 all day.

L.Brown is just 5 step backwards for the club. L.Brown is one of the worst 200 gamers ive seen play the game, he is just a terrible player. He can get away with his glacier like speed in the VFL, as he can out muscle VFL caliber defenders, but he isn't a AFL standard player. He was named BOG last week in the VFL, but did not even kick a goal and his accuracy is almost as bad as Cloke.

I'm not as big of fan for Dawes like others, but I'd take Dawes or Anthony 10/10 times for L.Brown.

Saying this L.Brown will now probably come out and have his one half reasonable game against the dogs where everyone will laud his performance, and he will secure his position for another 4 or so rounds where he will play like shit.

 

[Invigoration]

Happy that Meds and Davis are back, but a midget forward line will just play into Lake's hands who will play deep 50 all day.

It's a good point, we certainly can't continue entering the forward line the way we have been in the last few weeks.

Need to ensure we go back to keeping possession and lowering our eyes on the arc instead of bombing it long as we've done lately else Lake will have a field day.

I like it when we play small and our options push forward on the rebound, we look far more dangerous when we have a bunch of genuine options getting space on their opponents and demanding the ball.
Should be a lot harder to clear the ball out of our 50 as well with the smaller forward line, like it was earlier in the year.

 

[Kirby]

Invig, your sig is a ripper!!!!

 

[hellfire]

Happy that Meds and Davis are back, but a midget forward line will just play into Lake's hands who will play deep 50 all day.

L.Brown is just 5 step backwards for the club. L.Brown is one of the worst 200 gamers ive seen play the game, he is just a terrible player. He can get away with his glacier like speed in the VFL, as he can out muscle VFL caliber defenders, but he isn't a AFL standard player. He was named BOG last week in the VFL, but did not even kick a goal and his accuracy is almost as bad as Cloke.

I'm not as big of fan for Dawes like others, but I'd take Dawes or Anthony 10/10 times for L.Brown.

Saying this L.Brown will now probably come out and have his one half reasonable game against the dogs where everyone will laud his performance, and he will secure his position for another 4 or so rounds where he will play like shit.

Brown will be in to make Lake accountable, after the way he has dominated us in the past, and other sides the last few weeks. Brown's pressure is far superior to that of Dawes, and he provides a better contested marking option, who will actually bring the ball to ground. Yes, it is a step backwards for the future, but we're here to win games now, and I think this is the right move for this game.

If anything, we needed more small forwards. Medhurst's absence has absolutely gutted us the last two weeks in particular. And if he and Leon are fully fit, it will improve us by 20% I reckon. More forward pressure, more goal-scoring power, more x-factor. That's what we've been lacking.

Now we just need to hope our boys actually back themselves to hit targets, and stop bombing it long.

 

[mattys123]

GF2002, GF2003 and every final since he has let us down, every big game where there is pressure and close scores he lets us down, every other team can see it, every commentator MM just refuses to concede he was wrong. No point in him ever playing again coz if we do make it to the finals...he will sadly let us down again. The Geelong game was the proverbial straw for me.

Oh it was? Really?

So the game in round 9 of a home and away season, where he copped an injury 6 minutes into the match is the "proverbial straw" for you, ok then, goodbye, because the players don't need "your type" supporting them. (Or not supporting them as you seem to do).

I could write out a list of Leons good finals performances (there are as many good as bad) but I really can't be ****ed putting in that effort in response to a non supporter of players.

I for one am very happy both Leon and Meds are back, they make us a better team, that is not in dispute.

 

[greening22]

Happy that Meds and Davis are back, but a midget forward line will just play into Lake's hands who will play deep 50 all day.

L.Brown is just 5 step backwards for the club. L.Brown is one of the worst 200 gamers ive seen play the game, he is just a terrible player. He can get away with his glacier like speed in the VFL, as he can out muscle VFL caliber defenders, but he isn't a AFL standard player. He was named BOG last week in the VFL, but did not even kick a goal and his accuracy is almost as bad as Cloke.

I'm not as big of fan for Dawes like others, but I'd take Dawes or Anthony 10/10 times for L.Brown.

Saying this L.Brown will now probably come out and have his one half reasonable game against the dogs where everyone will laud his performance, and he will secure his position for another 4 or so rounds where he will play like shit.

I totally agree with you. I am also very concernned about Fraser's inclusion as he is soft; he is injury-prone; and he does not kick goals on a regular basis. I do not consider him to be a significant improvement on Cameron Wood. I would still like to see Dawes in the team. However when he is not getting a kick, I would like to see the coaching brains trust put him into the ruck as Geelong have done with Hawkuns so as to get him into the game. But then again perhaps I am being too optimistic. Regardless I am not too hopeful against the Dogs on Saturday. Hopefully I will be proven totally wrong.

 

[Zahki]

We aren't in the business of gifting blokes games because they might improve us going forward. We are most certainly a contender now, we were 10 points up midway through the third against the Cats. Now isn't the time to be concerned about a few years down the track, we're 7-3 and pushing for a flag, our best team needs to take the field every week, regardless of whether they are a fan favourite or not.

I agree with this, but Leigh Brown is not, will not and will NEVER be part of our best 22. To play him in front of both Dawes and Anthony is just ludicrous.

Has Dawes been down on form? Yeah. Is it entirely his fault? Not really, he's been getting shithouse delivery from a midfield thats been getting beaten convincingly over the last 2 weeks. See O'Bree as an example of what happens when you bring in players who aren't up to the task, regardless of form.

Play our BEST side, for sure. And I am 100% convinced that Dawes is part of that side. Go rewatch rounds 5-8 if you have a short memory.

If you think we're going to win a Grand Final with Leigh fugging Brown at full forward then god help you.

 

[Pie eyed]

I agree with this, but Leigh Brown is not, will not and will NEVER be part of our best 22. To play him in front of both Dawes and Anthony is just ludicrous.

Has Dawes been down on form? Yeah. Is it entirely his fault? Not really, he's been getting shithouse delivery from a midfield thats been getting beaten convincingly over the last 2 weeks. See O'Bree as an example of what happens when you bring in players who aren't up to the task, regardless of form.

Play our BEST side, for sure. And I am 100% convinced that Dawes is part of that side. Go rewatch rounds 5-8 if you have a short memory.

If you think we're going to win a Grand Final with Leigh fugging Brown at full forward then god help you.

Dawes has been withdrawn from the VFL side to play about now.