Opinion Dees V Dogs - Sunday MCG 1.00 PM

[Libbaaaa]

It will definitely be an advantage coming in fresh. Dees had to play in high humidity which would have taken a fair bit out of them.

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By the time first bounce rolls along they would have played 10 days ago, non factor the round 1 (round zero) conditions.

 

[Eastdog]

Sydney V Melbourne - Round O

LESSONS/THOUGHTS
NEUTURING THE MELBOURNE MIDFIELD
Not only did Grundy beat Gawn, but the much-vaunted Melbourne Mid-field was ineffective. The transfer of Grundy's inner knowledge of Melbourne's clearance game may be the decisive factor in determining how this game was played.

No on had seen the Melbourne Mid-field beaten this badly for at least 5 years. There were few occasions that a Melbourne mid-fielder enjoyed a clearance with time and space. Petracca was hesitant, he fumbled the ball and was unable to find any groove. He stopped trying to break tackles or lines. Oliver was expectedly rusty. Only Viney was his usual self. And Gawn appeared lackluster.

Melbourne was docile in the center-square and in ball-up situations. And this is normally their greatest strength. And the situation only got worse as the game progressed. Sydney seemed to get better, tougher and quicker as the game opened up in the last quarter.

Warner looked scary quick; Roebuck and Heeney were very impressive.

Did the Melbourne mid-field just have a bad night? Was Grundy's inside knowledge their undoing? Is Sydney's mid-field now the best in the league? or is the Melbourne mid-field now passed its prime-not because of personnel but because of the evolution of the game and different counter measures?

NEUTURING MAY N LEVER
Early in the game May and Lever were well on the way to sharing 30 intercept marks between them. Effectively, shutting down the Swans ability to score except thru Papley and luck. And but for inaccurate kicking for goal Melbourne could have been 3-4 goals up.

Sydney, changed its angles coming into attack. They rarely kicked it long or deep into the forward 50 and chipped the ball around and tried to run thru lines. It was messy and it didn't immediately prove to be successful on the scoreboard, but it did mean May and Lever became increasingly irrelevant as the game was played around them. It seemed to sap energy and confidence from the Melbourne defense, so much so, that in the last quarter they all but raised the white flag.



MELBOURNE V BULLDOGS - Round 1
Melbourne will be at their best. They are playing at home, Unlike the round 0 Sydney game, this is a day game, conditions will be perfect.

The Melbourne Midfield will be determined to remind everyone they are the best in the business. Gawn will be smarting at the criticism coming at him for his efforts against Grundy. Kosi's back and Brown/MacDonald are certain to replace Shache.

Last year, Melbourne was a 3-4 goal better team than the Dogs. There is little significant change in their personnel over the summer. Perhaps a little more on our end in the defensive area with JOD, Khamis, and Coffield to help out Jones.

In itself this is not sufficient to make up the difference.

Perhaps, Harmes can also provide us with some inside knowledge on how to neuter their Mid-field.
It's possible our list has some more upside development with Jamarah, Naughton and English. Maybe.

THE DIFFERENCE
Dogs supporters will be hoping that an off-season of soul searching will have closed the gap.

There are new assistant and development coaches, a new head of football, a more aggressive game plan, a new fitness regime. The trading in of Harmes, Coffield and Brambles all appear astute decisions. As does the draft pick of Sanders. All 4 appear set to play round 1.

THE RESULT
Every-thing suggests the dogs are a better side than last year with much greater depth.
But how much better?

Round 1 2023 - Melbouurne 115 Bulldogs 65

There are too many unknowns to feel confident where either of the 2021 grand finalists are at. Both feature in finals but how high is anyone's guess. Melbourne has been more consistent in season during 2022 and 2023 but have lacked any resilience in finals. The dogs have coasted aimlessly for 2 years. But show signs they want to make 2024 count.

Prediction: Dogs by 1 point.

Nice preview. Hoping we can get a good start and redeem ourselves from this fixture last season. Looking to see how we play and fitness.

 

[Golden_6]

Not great on JOD

Name	Injury	Return
Jack Macrae	Hamstring	Test for Rd 1
James O'Donnell	Ankle	TBA
Bailey Smith	Knee	2025

Latest Update: March 11

That’s a made up injury list from a certain website. They are missing about 4 other players and isn’t complete or up to date.

I’d wait for the official club injury list in the next day or two.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

How are melbourne firming further?

Because we’re no good

 

[Libba39]

AFL injury list says Pickett due back in round 2 but does that mean round 1 or round 2...?

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[Doggy]

AFL injury list says Pickett due back in round 2 but does that mean round 1 or round 2...?

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He's back this week

 

[TiAn_]

How are melbourne firming further?

Don’t think anyone trusts us because we’ve been all over the shop the last couple years.

 

[AFDogs]

Viney is their best mid right now. Wouldn't be against Harmes playing a run-with role or flat out tagging him. He always destroys us as does Gawn.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Viney is their best mid right now. Wouldn't be against Harmes playing a run-with role or flat out tagging him. He always destroys us as does Gawn.

I'd say Petracca still instills more fear into our team than Viney.

 

[Bulldogs85]

For anyone that has missed it

Bulldogs Media | Western Bulldogs

Watch the latest videos from the Western Bulldogs

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

 

[Libbaaaa]

For anyone that has missed it

Bulldogs Media | Western Bulldogs

Watch the latest videos from the Western Bulldogs

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

I liked how open he was about Macrae's status. Last few years he would have kept that very close to his chest.

 

[Golden_6]

I liked how open he was about Macrae's status. Last few years he would have kept that very close to his chest.

Macrae will be a fascinating watch this year. I don't think Bevo will shy away from simply keeping him out of the team if there isn't a spot for him in his best role.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

For anyone that has missed it

Bulldogs Media | Western Bulldogs

Watch the latest videos from the Western Bulldogs

www.westernbulldogs.com.au

Could probably have done without the use of the word "cross-pollinate" in reference to the AFL and AFLW teams mixing more

 

[3rdgenbulldog]

Could probably have done without the use of the word "cross-pollinate" in reference to the AFL and AFLW teams mixing more

I disagree, keep all future prospects red white and blue pure bloods.

 

[Libbaaaa]

The Bramble era has begun!

 

[dergert]

I like Bramble and think he'll be solid for us.

My concern is him bombing it inside 50 right on May and Lever's heads- which has always been an issue for us.

 

[Testekill]

The three mature age pick ups being in round one is a bit of a no brainer, they all looked pretty good vs the Hawks.

 

[Doggy]

The three mature age pick ups being in round one is a bit of a no brainer, they all looked pretty good vs the Hawks.

Assuming The Colonel will also debut

 

[Mojorisin]

Assuming The Colonel will also debut

Sanders is playing. He will get his own announcement though along with the customary facetime video.

 

[Libbaaaa]

Sanders is playing. He will get his own announcement though along with the customary facetime video.

Presser tomorrow along with his 4 year extension being announced...........hopefully hehe.

 

[Mojorisin]

Presser tomorrow along with his 4 year extension being announced...........hopefully hehe.

A 2 year extension will take him to 2028 added to the original 3 year draftee contract.

 

[ossie_21]

Assuming The Colonel will also debut

Looks like it was a former club debutant post, but Sanders would get his own wholesome content posted up

 

[Cudi]

A 2 year extension will take him to 2028 added to the original 3 year draftee contract.

Yep that leaves him out of contract for when Tassie comes in which makes sense on his management end.

 

[Testekill]

Assuming The Colonel will also debut

I presume that he's getting his own announcement if he's debuting on Sunday since those three are making their Bulldogs debut but not their AFL debut.

 

[Libba39]

So based on the 3 trades to debut plus Sanders

B: Coffield Jones Richards
HB: Bramble JOD Johanissen
C: Williams Liberatore Gallagher
HF: West Naughton Harmes
F: Lobb JUH Weightman
R: English Bontempelli Treloar

I/C Daniel, Sanders, McNeil, Khamis
Sub: Baker or Vandermeer

Left out: Macrae, Dale

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