Preview Changes for the Mighty Dogs into the Grand Final

[House_of_Dahl]

The key last week against Port and Aliir, was that we kept targeting Schache all night. Most targeted forward.

Teams keep trying to go around lever, letting him float to wherever the ball is. But by targeting his opponent, it will keep him honest.

The demons will be prepared for the Aliir tactic, and the only way it works is if Schache is strong in the air and kicks straight. We also will need to keep targeting Schache in the 50.

The dogs used this tactic with Marra on lever in the last game, and Marra got lever on the lead a few times.

Rather than targeting Schache I thought the tactic was to drop it on Aliir's head, that way he couldn't get separation and pick up intercepts, but instead be spoiled by Schache for our smalls to clean up? Stats show Schache as the target but not sure it was that simple. If that was the case not sure the same tactic will be as easy on Lever who has a bit more footy nous. Aliir seem confused what to do when he couldn't get a run at it.

 

[Arsene Wenger]

All the best next weekend fellas. I witnessed the ruthless display live Sat night (much to my dismay), but it was hard to not be impressed. I really hope you go all the way. I am a Bulldog for a weekend.

 

[Maverick Dog]

Schache has high footy iq and I would expect him to execute the plan against Lever. A lot is said about how great May and Lever are but the Naughton and Schache duo may win us this game. Naughts could have a blinder playing in front of his home(WA crowd), he also may have a shocker but either way May will be very worried. we need to isolate Naughts at times as if he does not beat May in the air he will destroy him at ground level. Naughts is so bloody quick and agile, May has no chance keeping up with him, especially with a concern on his Hammy. I expect Petty to go on him And May on English now.

Schache Just play Lever from behind. Goodwin knows we will target him the most going by the port game so hopefully this blunts Levers intercepting. Cody is also great on the lead. We have 4 to 5 marking options up forward and Optus is a bigger ground so there is space to lead.

my only concern is big Max and don’t think Stef can go with him. If we can curtail Max‘s input and make sure he gets close attention when he runs forward we have a massive chance.

i think Wallis is a smoky for the sub. Can play 3 roles. Inside mid, medium forward and most probably forget how great a tagger he was. If Steph runs out of gas in the 3rd running with Gawn and giving 100%, Mich comes in and plays on Lever. English and Schache rotate the ruck. Just say Oliver is killing it And Dunks cannot quell him, late in the game a fresh Wallis could clamp down on Oliver, yes I know is quicker but would have faith in WALLIS. If libba or dunks are injured WALLIS could play a inside mid role.

My changes are still:

Keath, Weightman in
Roarke, Cordy out

wallis sub. Of course I don’t think that And expect Scott, but an article in the age today with Steve Wallis say how hard it is Mitch is not going to play in another GF just made me think.

 

[ExRoyboy]

Schache has high footy iq and I would expect him to execute the plan against Lever. A lot is said about how great May and Lever are but the Naughton and Schache duo may win us this game. Naughts could have a blinder playing in front of his home(WA crowd), he also may have a shocker but either way May will be very worried. we need to isolate Naughts at times as if he does not beat May in the air he will destroy him at ground level. Naughts is so bloody quick and agile, May has no chance keeping up with him, especially with a concern on his Hammy. I expect Petty to go on him And May on English now.

Schache Just play Lever from behind. Goodwin knows we will target him the most going by the port game so hopefully this blunts Levers intercepting. Cody is also great on the lead. We have 4 to 5 marking options up forward and Optus is a bigger ground so there is space to lead.

my only concern is big Max and don’t think Stef can go with him. If we can curtail Max‘s input and make sure he gets close attention when he runs forward we have a massive chance.

i think Wallis is a smoky for the sub. Can play 3 roles. Inside mid, medium forward and most probably forget how great a tagger he was. If Steph runs out of gas in the 3rd running with Gawn and giving 100%, Mich comes in and plays on Lever. English and Schache rotate the ruck. Just say Oliver is killing it And Dunks cannot quell him, late in the game a fresh Wallis could clamp down on Oliver, yes I know is quicker but would have faith in WALLIS. If libba or dunks are injured WALLIS could play a inside mid role.

My changes are still:

Keath, Weightman in
Roarke, Cordy out

wallis sub. Of course I don’t think that And expect Scott, but an article in the age today with Steve Wallis say how hard it is Mitch is not going to play in another GF just made me think.

I love Mitch Wallis as much as everyone and would have loved to see him be part of this but playing someone who hasn’t played a game for months is always a huge risk, even as a medi sub. We had to do it with Martin because the ruck was out biggest area of weakness but I wouldn’t risk it at all.

I personally hope VDM is okay and it’s a tough decision between him and JJ. I originally thought Roarke could be the odd man out but I think he has done things this finals series and beforehand that show that he is in the team now and he would be stiff to miss out. JJ has proven his value previously also. Anthony Scott is possible the one who goes out being the last man in and the medi sub last week, meaning one of JJ, VDM or Roarke is the medi sub. But I could also understand why Bevo would want to keep Scott in that role because of his versatility.

Tough decisions all round. In the backline I think Keath comes back for Cordy even though Zaine played really well last week also. Can’t see us changing the backline that much by playing all three of Cordy, Keath and Gards.

I feel sorry for any of the guys who miss out because they all deserve to play and have played significant roles in the team being in the GF.

 

[Anja_Nees]

I think Scott is a certain omission, and it’s most likely VDM will be the sub. Weightman matches his defensive effort so we don’t lose that.

JJ played one of his best games for the year and is a Norm Smith medallist and Roarke really plays a different role.

Still, it’s Bevo. If Schache went out for Louis Butler

18

Louis Butler

Age

23

Ht

185cm

Wt

79kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.0

4star

K

12.0

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

0.5

3star

CL

0.0

1star

D

15.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

3.0

2star

M

3.0

3star

T

0.5

1star

CL

0.0

1star

D

15.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

3.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

0.5

3star

CL

0.0

1star

it wouldn’t surprise me at this point.

 

[Zgope1]

Have been thinking a lot about whether we react to Melbourne playing 3 talls forward. Remember, Bevo brought Shack in as an extra key back last time but it ended up not being noticed because it rained.

melbourne have Brown, Jackson, McDonald and they drift Gawn forward.

sticking to what’s worked so well could be a risk. It’s possible Roarke could miss and Cordy stays in to cover that height. But Roarke is a great pressure player and helps back well.

I think our pressure brigade is a force to be reckoned with and we will back our style in. Melbourne kicked 100 clearance points last week. I’d back in the dogs not to allow such dominance.

sticking with

in: Keath, Weightman

out: Cordy and Scott. With Jj playing sub because I think he suits the sub beautifully.

Our forward pressure is a sight to behold and Wood and Bailey defend the air well.

 

[True Dog]

I seriously can't see Roarke Smith

37

Roarke Smith

Age

28

Ht

184cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.7

3star

K

5.6

2star

HB

6.1

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.7

4star

CL

0.4

2star

No current season stats available

D

12.0

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

missing out, he hasn't put a foot wrong during the final series and plays a defensive role the Bevo loves... I fear for Vanders, I think JJ really stepped up last week and will be the front runner to partner Weightman. Vanders has a question mark around his durability although the extended break will assist. Seriously tough calls ahead..

 

[Doggy]

Lol Melbourne supporters are arrogant tools:

"It's Western's class versus Melbourne's power. We can blunt their class with our pressure more than they can blunt our power.

We'll generate more scoring opportunities. If we kick straight we win.

Demons by 13 points

NSM: Clayton Oliver

13

Clayton Oliver

Age

27

Ht

189cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.8

5star

K

9.5

4star

HB

18.4

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

6.3

5star

CL

6.3

5star

D

25.1

5star

K

11.1

4star

HB

14.0

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

5.6

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

19.2

5star

K

4.6

2star

HB

14.6

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

4.4

5star

CL

3.8

5star

"

 

[Some Idiot]

We've gone a bit early with the road to glory t-shirts imo.

Just wanted to say, we've made 4 grand finals in our 96? years of VFL/AFL. So even making it to the big dance is a bloody big deal for the football club. I guess it will be a bit weird to wear the shirt if we lose but all the same, I can understand it why they went with it. 4th time in almost 100 years we've been here.

 

[dergert]

Just wanted to say, we've made 4 grand finals in our 96? years of VFL/AFL. So even making it to the big dance is a bloody big deal for the football club. I guess it will be a bit weird to wear the shirt if we lose but all the same, I can understand it why they went with it. 4th time in almost 100 years we've been here.

I never thought I'd see one in my life time again. God I hope we make it count!

 

[Libbaaaa]

Have pumped Holy Grail 3 times this morning, so pumped. Being back in the Grand Final after the 4 years of crap we endured post the flag is so satisfying.

 

[Dogs54]

I’m inclined to go with Cordy as he has a streak of mongrel which will be needed when Melbourne try to impose themselves physically. I expect them to take the Charlie Sutton road of “shopping early to beat the rush” and we should be ready for that.

I understand the streak of mongrel but who does Cordy match up on? Melbourne have very good forward patterns and we won't get the luxury like we did from Port of bombing it long.

 

[Testekill]

I'd put Bailey Williams on Fritsch and Duryea on Pickett. McDonald isn't too big so you could play Wood on him and then Gardner & Keath play on Brown and Jackson. Then Dale and Daniel are on the flanks, they'll probably have a defensive forward doing a job on one of them in order to force more scrappy kicks out of defence.

Last time we beat them because we didn't allow easy clearances, that meant that their inside 50s were scrappy and shallow which led to play breaking down at their half forward flanks and low percentage shots. We'll get destroyed if we let them get some easy clearances that reach 30 out.

 

[Dazb86]

Lol Melbourne supporters are arrogant tools:

"It's Western's class versus Melbourne's power. We can blunt their class with our pressure more than they can blunt our power.

We'll generate more scoring opportunities. If we kick straight we win.

Demons by 13 points

NSM: Clayton Oliver"

What's arrogant about that? Not exactly tipping a 100 point thrashing.

 

[Doggy]

What's arrogant about that? Not exactly tipping a 100 point thrashing.

Dogs can't "blunt their pressure " whatever the **** that means ..

There's thing called speed and spread .. two things that hurt Melbourne

Besides, plenty of them are predicting a belting

 

[Doggy]

Boy will bigfooty go off if we win the GF. Being written off again is delicious

 

[Libbaaaa]

Rather than targeting Schache I thought the tactic was to drop it on Aliir's head, that way he couldn't get separation and pick up intercepts, but instead be spoiled by Schache for our smalls to clean up? Stats show Schache as the target but not sure it was that simple. If that was the case not sure the same tactic will be as easy on Lever who has a bit more footy nous. Aliir seem confused what to do when he couldn't get a run at it.

Aliir missed an early target too and he was just shook after that. Schache also kept Aliir accountable a little closer to goal, around 20-25m out from goal. It meant even when Aliir got the ball it was harder to exit and kick start Port's rebound. Lever can do damage if he intercepting the ball around 40-50m arc, as even a shanked kick clears the danger. If we force Lever to make decisions 15-20m out from goal it will play into our hands.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

As tough as he is which is a good attribute in a GF, the problem with Roarke is the time he takes to get the ball off under pressure, decision making and disposal the heat will be on against the Dees. I doubt Bevo does this and Roarke probably gets the nod.

 

[Foxman98]

As tough as he is which is a good attribute in a GF, the problem with Roarke is the time he takes to get the ball off under pressure, decision making and disposal the heat will be on against the Dees. I doubt Bevo does this and Roarke probably gets the nod.

Spot on he is just not quick enough under pressure

 

[bobs head soup]

As tough as he is which is a good attribute in a GF, the problem with Roarke is the time he takes to get the ball off under pressure, decision making and disposal the heat will be on against the Dees. I doubt Bevo does this and Roarke probably gets the nod.

I wonder if Roarke goes on to have a good career as a defender. A lot of players who look rushed forward of centre look so much better with that little bit of time and space.

Once he makes a decision, he is quite a neat and penetrating field kick. Is a good enough runner to play on small/mids and strong enough in the body and overhead for mediums. Doesn't mind the contest and knows how to play a role.

There is a bit there.

 

[conrad_437]

As tough as he is which is a good attribute in a GF, the problem with Roarke is the time he takes to get the ball off under pressure, decision making and disposal the heat will be on against the Dees. I doubt Bevo does this and Roarke probably gets the nod.

I think he's fine in general play, but it's the indecision inside forward 50 when he's contemplating whether to have a shot or pass it off. Just doesn't seem confident in that scenario to take the game on himself. Between the arcs I have no issue with his play though.

 

[huddo#9]

I think he's fine in general play, but it's the indecision inside forward 50 when he's contemplating whether to have a shot or pass it off. Just doesn't seem confident in that scenario to take the game on himself. Between the arcs I have no issue with his play though.

And when he does take the game on he generally gets caught.

 

[Mojorisin]

And when he does take the game on he generally gets caught.

I think alot of that is due to the recos. He doesnt have the burst he once had.

 

[Anja_Nees]

I think he's fine in general play, but it's the indecision inside forward 50 when he's contemplating whether to have a shot or pass it off. Just doesn't seem confident in that scenario to take the game on himself. Between the arcs I have no issue with his play though.

I almost went into meltdown when there was that turnover in the first quarter 25m from goal and he didn’t pass it off.

Roarke has earned his spot though.

 

[Doggy]

Nathan Jones has retired so I'm assuming they'll be using the "do it for Jonesy" crap .. despite having no intention of picking him