Preview Changes and discussion vs Melbourne. Round 8, 2014.

[Misunderstood]

The pathetic dribble that gets written on this forum is ridiculous

 

[immortalmike]

The pathetic dribble that gets written on this forum is ridiculous

Yeah tell me about it.

 

[grassman75]

Yeah I noticed that on the three or four times I've seen him at VFL level. Just a little prick, can't wait to see him, Smith and Libba(ratore)in the same side flying the flag. Has the makings of another Wog Squad (without the wog)

With Sloane, just freaked me out how matter of fact he was, specifically said our midfield is too strong.

Ummmmmmm.....@immortalmike..you might want to re check your statement. Lol

 

[Snake Livermore]

That's an interesting point. On the drive home from the Adelaide game Sloane was on the radio saying how he's rarely that stuffed after a game of footy and was just relieved to get the win, and the Swans last year mentioned how physical the Dogs can be, so we'll see how much is in that.

Problem is it probably leaves our guys pretty stuffed as well and they're playing like that every week. Need a mature and deep list to keep that game style up all season, neither of which we have. Will be awesome when we do though.

 

[immortalmike]

Ummmmmmm.....@immortalmike..you might want to re check your statement. Lol

What do you mean? He's second generation Australian. when does the statute of limitations run out on being a wog?

 

[grassman75]

Lol. Just thought it sounded funny. Liberatore not part of a wog squad.

 

[Unorth]

Please Bulldogs, I have but one request for tomorrow- Don't let Jack Watts play like a No.1 pick. Last two games he's kicked 4 goals each. Please, I beg you, let Watts play like the spud he is deep down. (Ok, two requests- Winning the match would be the first priority. But you know, Jack Watts)

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

Problem is it probably leaves our guys pretty stuffed as well and they're playing like that every week. Need a mature and deep list to keep that game style up all season, neither of which we have. Will be awesome when we do though.

Yeah, it's sort of what I say each week, the end justifies the means of losing a few more games because we run out of puff.
Koby in particular seems to struggle with it, but I reckon he'll be as good as anyone when he gets used to it and has other blokes around him playing that physically demanding brand week in, week out.

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

The pathetic dribble that gets written on this forum is ridiculous

Macca is a complete idiot......Look at the mis management of Bontempelli......Likeiwse with Honeychurch......

I know. You still haven't told me how you think Honeychurch has been mismanaged.

 

[threenewpadlocks]

What do you mean? He's second generation Australian. when does the statute of limitations run out on being a wog?

Liberatore, Bontempelli, Giansiracusa, Talia, Crameri. We have our fair share of Italians on the list.

 

[fargy]

The thing I'm noticing is a lot of guys being put out of their comfort zone, and Stevens was last week so it's my guess that they want him to work on something. It may be strange at times but I believe it's the MC teaching players to try and be better at things they aren't as strong at.
Anyway just the thoughts of a negative flog

 

[Doggies_13]

Was just on the Melbourne board having a look and saw them comparing our two midfields and it was an interesting conversation with some thinking ours is far superior and some thinking we are pretty close thought it would be a good conversation for here.
Ours
Griffen Libba Boyd Cooney Macrae also Picken Dahl Tutt likely going through

Theirs
Jones Cross Tyson Vince Viney also Salem Byrnes not sure who else goes through there for them

Our number 1 mid would be Griffen who is out and out elite, Their number 1 mid Jones is a definite A grader but don't think he is in that elite category.
Libba is and A grader who is capable of becoming elite once he learns to deal with a tag, Viney is their future star but i see Libba way ahead at this stage Viney B-B+.
Boyd still hanging in the A category although not overly damaging with the ball, Cross ( B ) was a great player for us over the years but boyd is ahead of him.
Cooney I will say on a consistency bases B+-A but can be elite when he is on, Vince Handy player for Melbourne B grade
Macrae B category player though is continues his consistency this season and averages 25+ a game by seasons end will be an A grader, Tyson is a B grader doing a great job for the Dees
Picken as a tagger i believe is an b+-A grader, Dahl is a b-b+ through the middle and i'd have Tutt as a C grader. Salem haven't seen enough but as a first year player probably a C-C+ and Byrnes just hasn't been as good as needed by the Dees c+
Dogs Dees
Elite Elite
Griffen Nil
A-Elite A-Elite
Libba Jones
Boyd B-A
Cooney Viney
B-A Cross
Macrae Vince
Picken Tyson
Dahl C-B
C-B Byrnes
Tutt Salem

 

[ManOfClay]

The pathetic dribble that gets written on this forum is ridiculous

I know. Some people just hurl abuse at the club without a single shred of knowledge. It gets pretty frustrating for us more intelligent folk.

 

[fargy]

Was just on the Melbourne board having a look and saw them comparing our two midfields and it was an interesting conversation with some thinking ours is far superior and some thinking we are pretty close thought it would be a good conversation for here.
Ours
Griffen Libba Boyd Cooney Macrae also Picken Dahl Tutt likely going through

Theirs
Jones Cross Tyson Vince Viney also Salem Byrnes not sure who else goes through there for them

Our number 1 mid would be Griffen who is out and out elite, Their number 1 mid Jones is a definite A grader but don't think he is in that elite category.
Libba is and A grader who is capable of becoming elite once he learns to deal with a tag, Viney is their future star but i see Libba way ahead at this stage Viney B-B+.
Boyd still hanging in the A category although not overly damaging with the ball, Cross ( B ) was a great player for us over the years but boyd is ahead of him.
Cooney I will say on a consistency bases B+-A but can be elite when he is on, Vince Handy player for Melbourne B grade
Macrae B category player though is continues his consistency this season and averages 25+ a game by seasons end will be an A grader, Tyson is a B grader doing a great job for the Dees
Picken as a tagger i believe is an b+-A grader, Dahl is a b-b+ through the middle and i'd have Tutt as a C grader. Salem haven't seen enough but as a first year player probably a C-C+ and Byrnes just hasn't been as good as needed by the Dees c+
Dogs Dees
Elite Elite
Griffen Nil
A-Elite A-Elite
Libba Jones
Boyd B-A
Cooney Viney
B-A Cross
Macrae Vince
Picken Tyson
Dahl C-B
C-B Byrnes
Tutt Salem

Agree with most of your assessments but would have Byrnes and Salem higher than Tutt (seen a little of Salem and looks really good). In general I think we have them covered in the midfield, but it would be an interesting thing to look at how they are travelling at the moment, I think it would be a lot closer (Jones output this year probably elite whereas Griff not so much).

 

[Dav1d]

If we can beat Melbourne in the midfield, we should win the game
will be an interesting challenge, but I won't be able to watch it
will just keep my fingers crossed until I find out the result

 

[House_of_Dahl]

I'm heading over to the game tonight with my father in law who is a mad Dees supporter. We better win and he better not cry

 

[VitalDread]

I'm heading over to the game tonight with my father in law who is a mad Dees supporter. We better win and he better not cry

I'm in the same boat but it's my dad
He said last night
"doesn't matter who wins, jack Watts is still a spud"

 

[Werewolf]

I'm in the same boat but it's my dad
He said last night
"doesn't matter who wins, jack Watts is still a spud"

Does he post on bay 13 by any chance?

 

[VitalDread]

Does he post on bay 13 by any chance?

He would be banned in an instant if he was on this forum hahaa

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Can we have a pink lady game that doesn't rain?

 

[josh the gent]

The pathetic dribble that gets written on this forum is ridiculous

I'm staggered that you realise that.

 

[doggies ftw]

Yeah, it's sort of what I say each week, the end justifies the means of losing a few more games because we run out of puff.
Koby in particular seems to struggle with it, but I reckon he'll be as good as anyone when he gets used to it and has other blokes around him playing that physically demanding brand week in, week out.

I reckon Kobys underrated around here, can absolutely see why the coaches love him. One of the most courageous on our list he just throws himself at everything. He will be a leader for years to come

 

[Tulip]

Was just on the Melbourne board having a look and saw them comparing our two midfields and it was an interesting conversation with some thinking ours is far superior and some thinking we are pretty close thought it would be a good conversation for here.

I'm part of the school that says the Dogs have a way better midfield. Best young one behind Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

I do disagree with your rankings, however.

Griffen is better than Jones and IMO always will be. I doubt their impact is terribly dissimilar though and Jonesy is bridging the gap.

Libba is superior to Viney at this stage, but you can see both being genuine elite players in a few years. Two really great names too.

Tyson and Macrae are pretty equitable. Both young stars.

Boyd was better than Cross during their heyday and, whilst neither are at that level anymore, you'd give Boyd the nod. Cross just can't kick it seems.

Cooney is a Brownlow medalist, Vince is polished. Cooney is simply more damaging, but Bernie is beginning to rack it up and is a cool head.

Watts and Pedersen run through the midfield for us, as do JKH and Salem.

If we are going to get up tonight, we need to see Dawes and Frawley have big games. You look undersized down back, while we finally have our CHB back in Garland which is a boost. Your midfield is just a level above ours as outlined, so we need to work hard and take our chances.

 

[Snarls Barkley]

Our midfield is definitely better but they've got us covered in the other areas. If they find a way to breakeven in the middle it'll be hard for us to win.

Don't mind the changes this week. Talia was pretty poor last week so I don't mind him going down to work on his game for a little bit and by the sounds of it Roberts has been in excellent form at VFL level. I was a little surprised that Stevens got dropped, he started the year off really well but has cooled off over the last couple of weeks. Hopefully he isn't in the twos for too long.

 

[TheHoneyBadger]

I reckon Kobys underrated around here, can absolutely see why the coaches love him. One of the most courageous on our list he just throws himself at everything. He will be a leader for years to come

Agreed. I think he's the prototype for the brand of footy we're trying to play, but he's still getting there physically.