VFL 2024 VFL Thread

[JTCWBFC]

Well done lads. Still undefeated.

 

[Testekill]

Once again sums it up, Jones gets his head ripped off and it's HTB when he gets a handball away in the tackle.

 

[Thunderoad]

Funny old game.

We were a workmanlike and bit better all day but if Gowers had of kicked straight we would have been in trouble.

Croft and Smith probably the best of the listed players.

Bianco and CCP were busy.

 

[Bulldogs85]

Great win from the boys

 

[Thunderoad]

Funny old game.

We were a workmanlike and bit better all day but if Gowers had of kicked straight we would have been in trouble.

Croft and Smith probably the best of the listed players.

Bianca and CCP were busy.

Overlooked Busslinger. Was good as well.

 

[dogwatch]

Lachie Smith goes OK for an 18yo. Getting better every week.
15 Ds, 37 HOs, 5 Ts, 10CPs and 2 behinds (missed a soda from right in front)

Probably won't get a game this year but I could see him getting a debut some time in 2025.

Good use of a late draft pick.

 

[dogwatch]

Funny old game.

We were a workmanlike and bit better all day but if Gowers had of kicked straight we would have been in trouble.

Croft and Smith probably the best of the listed players.

Bianco and CCP were busy.

It was like one of those slogging games I got used to watching back when the AFL was the VFL. Nostalgia!

 

[Testekill]

Croft, Smith and Busslinger the best out of our senior listed players.

McNeil was decent all day, Poulter good but faded in the second half. Baker was decent.


Jones unsighted.

Khamis and Cleary both poor, given a bath by Gowers who they both matched up on or turned the ball over to him.

Lobb was good to start but was clearly hampered by injury in the second half.

Bedendo had a cameo late.

edit: Port dragged us down to our level and were starting fights the entire time.

 

[Wizard17]

Croft a sneaky chance for an AFL debut if Lobb isn't 100% going into next week

 

[JTCWBFC]

Croft a sneaky chance for an AFL debut if Lobb isn't 100% going into next week

I'd probably rather we just go smaller. Not sure he's ready.

 

[glenashley]

Some embarrassing moments from a few listed players in the last.

Cleary dropping a sitter in D50 to gift them a goal.

Smith missing 15m out.

And I'll throw in Bendendo's OOF when he had a couple players clear inside F50.

 

[4Seasons]

Can we shut up about the umpiring? It's in every thread over the last few days. I'm getting pretty tired of it.

Funniest part is we are constantly whining about Sydney fans doing it

 

[DognBones]

Best: Busslinger, Smith, Baker, Croft for his 3 goals
Lobb had a frustrating day, couldn't hold his marks.
McNeil kicked 2 goals but not much else.
Bedendo took Footscray mark of the year but he's a very unreliable kick.
Poulter very good early, perhaps benched a fair bit later - saved for next week?
Cleary was OK but just doesn't look strong enough for AFL.
Jones does the occasional smart move but hasn't advanced very much since he first started. Unsure what that means going forward.
Khamis will have nightmares about his opponent kicking 10 goals - well, he could have!
Lachie Smith is the most mature 18 year old ruckman I've seen in a long time (mature in every sense). He isn't very tall, can't jump much at all but wow, does he compete like a man possessed! Doesn't take any nonsense from opponents either. Impressive young man.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Did Croft play well enough to debut?

Wish we could find room for Buss by far our most consistent VFL player over the last month.

Also think it might help his decision to stay if we get some games into him.

Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Philthy1]

Jones has speed and skill but just doesn’t get his hands on the pill.

Busslinger must debut in the AFL soonish

Croft will be a player in time

 

[DognBones]

Did Croft play well enough to debut?

Wish we could find room for Buss by far our most consistent VFL player over the last month.

Also think it might help his decision to stay if we get some games into him.

Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

Croft is developing very nicely. He reads the play and posiitions himself well. By playing him forward they're trying to ease him into the pace of the game. He's not physically strong enough to debut yet but the signs are good. Into the gym and 2025 beckons with great optimism.

 

[dogwatch]

Did Croft play well enough to debut?


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He's not the answer for this week IMO.

He played OK, kicked 3 goals took 2 CMs, but he's not (yet) a forward who applies much defensive pressure. It's the same problem as bringing Lobb or Khamis in (as a forward).

If we want a tall to replace Naughton then it is surely Lobb. Then I'd go Khamis.

TBH I'd rather we brought in whoever is going to apply the most frenetic defensive pressure i50, and maybe jag a goal. Off the top of my head I can't think who that'd be. Scott and Clarke are out. Baker maybe a chance but he's not a long term solution.

So probably we go full circle back to Lobb.

At the other end of the ground I wouldn't mind seeing Busslinger debut.

 

[VitalDread]

If we didn't have Garcia
Would love for Peters to be that midfielder for us

 

[Wizard17]

Did Croft play well enough to debut?

Wish we could find room for Buss by far our most consistent VFL player over the last month.

Also think it might help his decision to stay if we get some games into him.

Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

Well he is taking multiple contested marks, kicking goals and has the tank already so I wouldn't be against it myself. If Lobb doesn't come up that is.

 

[DognBones]

If we didn't have Garcia
Would love for Peters to be that midfielder for us

Nothing wrong with considering Craig-Peters. He's a bit in the Lachie Sullivan mould. A hard, inside mid who tackles very well and gets plenty of the ball. Still only 22. Listed as 181cm but looks more 175cm to me. Perhaps not quick enough for the higher level might be his main shortcoming.

 

[dogwatch]

Well he is taking multiple contested marks, kicking goals and has the tank already so I wouldn't be against it myself. If Lobb doesn't come up that is.

If we're seriously talking up Croft for next week then I'd be thinking Smith is just as good an option.

Croft probably has the higher ceiling as a KPF but right now Smith's form is just as good if not better. It's just that Smith gets more looks at it because of his stints in the ruck.

My feeling is that while both could be regulars in the seniors in due course, neither is ready yet.
And neither of them would provide enough of the defensive pressure i50 that we require.

It's pleasing that both are improving rapidly as they get used to matching it against seasoned players.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Croft definitely has the tank to play that Naughton role. But may be too raw as some have mentioned to play next week especially when we have Lobb available.

But I’d love to see it - he is super quick as well

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[dogwatch]

Croft definitely has the tank to play that Naughton role. But may be too raw as some have mentioned to play next week especially when we have Lobb available.

But I’d love to see it - he is super quick as well

That may end up being his crucial point of difference. Such an asset in a big man.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

I just wouldn’t want to injure Croft at AFL level like Darcy was a few times. Smith could probably handle it but without the tank needed.

Is it really that bad to have one less tall?

 

[out of finals]

Busslinger is great to watch close up - had a contest near where I was and his positioning, timing, and leap is absolutely beautiful, hope he can crack into the senior team in a week or two