Eagles/Dogs game: most critical of the last few weeks

[ConcreteWaters]

I must have missed a bit where Adelaide have suddenly become a premiership threat since we belted them. If we're fair dinkum we'll account for all of our next 3 opponents.

 

[Hardhat11]

I've just got tickets ...woo hoo ....

My first egales game in ages .....lol means a loss

Nah I'm pretty confident against dogs ...lecras and Nic Nat back in

Selwood comes in for Cripps .....lecras for marstens ...he will get two weeks is my estimation

 

[Hardhat11]

Derby final? Yes please. Please please footy gods, make it happen.

Me too

I like our forward line against you're skinny defenders .....if Luke McPharlin is fit you've got a very good chance

But hey bring it ...lol

 

[Nostradumbass]

Eagles by 10 goals

 

[Procrastinator35]

Eagles set to choke on a dog-bone.

 

[Jcpdragonx]

Beat adelaide last year at adelaide oval, comfortably too as a non finalist team, and very comfortably accounted for them earlier this year too (Inb4 adelaide players were grieving but apparently west coast's weren't). What makes you so sure west coast will lose?

I too, would be hoping for a surprise grand finalist from outside the 4 if my team was sitting in 6th.

I can't see us winning unless you guys play like you did against Gold Coast. Talia doesn't have good history on Kennedy and we wont match up well on one or two of hill/Cripps/lecras. You guys will punish our bad kicking.

 

[rEALdEAL86]

Everyone talking up the dogs like they have beaten anyone of note, they have flat track bullied the bottom sides
... plus majority of the games at Ethiad..fully expect them to drop to 5th by seasons end

 

[jesterwester]

Everyone talking up the dogs like they have beaten anyone of note, they have flat track bullied the bottom sides
View attachment 163373 ... plus majority of the games at Ethiad..fully expect them to drop to 5th by seasons end

You can only beat the sides put in front of you- it isn't like they just got over the line, either, especially the last month. Theyve won the games exactly in the way that they should for a side pushing top 4.

West coast will have to be at their best to win, it should be a cracking match.

I doubt this will end up being a shootout though. Although we are a high scoring team, we don't like to get into a shootout if we can help it. My guess would be that it will be 1st to 100 points wins, somewhere around the scoreline of the derby, either way. (104-80)

 

[Balance]

Crows vs Eagles at AO will be much much bigger, and harder.

 

[Bulldog1954]

Everyone talking up the dogs like they have beaten anyone of note, they have flat track bullied the bottom sides
View attachment 163373 ... plus majority of the games at Ethiad..fully expect them to drop to 5th by seasons end

I expect to drop to fifth too, but I find it pretty funny that we haven't beaten anyone of note when we have beaten your side, Sydney in Sydney and absolutely spanked the Crows. Or do AFL seasons only start in round 6 now?

 

[TruBluEagle]

I expect to drop to fifth too, but I find it pretty funny that we haven't beaten anyone of note when we have beaten your side, Sydney in Sydney and absolutely spanked the Crows. Or do AFL seasons only start in round 6 now?

You guys beat us when Mitch brown went down mid game with a knee right after we lost Mckenzie in the weeks previous so our defence was in disarray. We have tightened up this aspect now and have developed ways around the fact we have lost all our key defenders. You also got belted by Melbourne and port. Smashed by the Hawks and lost to st kilda. You haven't played a top 8 team since round 7 and you won't be playing at Etihad this week. I see this game being a blowout for west coast.

 

[Dizzy Stuff]

I expect the Eagles to win this match, but you have to laugh at the 'flat track bully' accusations. It's pretty remarkable that we're bullying any sides at all, given where we've come from. And the reason we're in a strong position now is because we set up our season with unexpected wins over West Coast, Richmond, Adelaide, Sydney and GWS (who were 6-2 at the time) earlier in the year. The only top 8 sides we've lost to are Freo (probably would have won if not for a fumbled Mitch Wallis ground ball in the dying minutes) and Hawthorn (the game was a write-off after we suffered multiple early injuries).

 

[Suma Magic]

Flat track bullies?

They're in the top 4 heading into round 21. Not sure how much more they could have done.

 

[Doggies1972]

You also got belted by Melbourne and port. Smashed by the Hawks and lost to st kilda. You haven't played a top 8 team since round 7 and you won't be playing at Etihad this week. I see this game being a blowout for west coast.[/QUOTE]

Got to love selective stats. Half the teams we have beaten, were in the 8 at the time. And of the teams in the 8 now, we have beaten West Coast, Adelaide, Sydney and Richmond. We got spanked by the hawks in tas when we lost our bench in the 1st qtr. You have lost to them twice. We beat port, melbourne and the saints since those losses. We lost to freo in the last minutes by 13 points in round 7 as you selected it. We have had 10 home games, ten away games, as have West Coast so far. After rd23 we will be 11h/12 away. You guys will be 12home/11away. Our last 3 games have been wins by an average of 83 points. Your last 3 you drew with Gold Coast, Lost to the Hawks, and won one against pretty off Freo by 4 goals at home.
Im not saying we will win, we might get flogged. But selectively choosing stats to base an opinion ...well!

 

[TruBluEagle]

You also got belted by Melbourne and port. Smashed by the Hawks and lost to st kilda. You haven't played a top 8 team since round 7 and you won't be playing at Etihad this week. I see this game being a blowout for west coast.

Got to love selective stats. Half the teams we have beaten, were in the 8 at the time. And of the teams in the 8 now, we have beaten West Coast, Adelaide, Sydney and Richmond. We got spanked by the hawks in tas when we lost our bench in the 1st qtr. You have lost to them twice. We beat port, melbourne and the saints since those losses. We lost to freo in the last minutes by 13 points in round 7 as you selected it. We have had 10 home games, ten away games, as have West Coast so far. After rd23 we will be 11h/12 away. You guys will be 12home/11away. Our last 3 games have been wins by an average of 83 points. Your last 3 you drew with Gold Coast, Lost to the Hawks, and won one against pretty off Freo by 4 goals at home.
Im not saying we will win, we might get flogged. But selectively choosing stats to base an opinion ...well![/QUOTE]
The argument that teams were in the 8 at the time is irrelevant just as it was when we did it all last year but come the end of the season we only ended up beating one side that finished in the 8. I am also using stats to highlight a point unlike you making them up. It is an impressive feat that we have lost to the Hawks twice considering we have only played them once. Eagles had the same tag last year and it's a hard one to shake. Even now people are still unsure about west coast despite what we have achieved this year with a depleted side. Don't get me wrong the dogs have been mighty impressive and earned their spot on the ladder. I just think people shouldn't get carried away by their form as I don't think they have had the blowtorch applied to them in almost 3 and a 1/2 months. I think the step up in pressure and the travel factor will result in a big win for west coast.

 

[Doggies1972]

Got to love selective stats. Half the teams we have beaten, were in the 8 at the time. And of the teams in the 8 now, we have beaten West Coast, Adelaide, Sydney and Richmond. We got spanked by the hawks in tas when we lost our bench in the 1st qtr. You have lost to them twice. We beat port, melbourne and the saints since those losses. We lost to freo in the last minutes by 13 points in round 7 as you selected it. We have had 10 home games, ten away games, as have West Coast so far. After rd23 we will be 11h/12 away. You guys will be 12home/11away. Our last 3 games have been wins by an average of 83 points. Your last 3 you drew with Gold Coast, Lost to the Hawks, and won one against pretty off Freo by 4 goals at home.
Im not saying we will win, we might get flogged. But selectively choosing stats to base an opinion ...well!

The argument that teams were in the 8 at the time is irrelevant just as it was when we did it all last year but come the end of the season we only ended up beating one side that finished in the 8. I am also using stats to highlight a point unlike you making them up. It is an impressive feat that we have lost to the Hawks twice considering we have only played them once. Eagles had the same tag last year and it's a hard one to shake. Even now people are still unsure about west coast despite what we have achieved this year with a depleted side. Don't get me wrong the dogs have been mighty impressive and earned their spot on the ladder. I just think people shouldn't get carried away by their form as I don't think they have had the blowtorch applied to them in almost 3 and a 1/2 months. I think the step up in pressure and the travel factor will result in a big win for west coast.[/QUOTE]
Your right about the hawks, i thought you lost to them earlier in the year. As for everything else nothing is made up. We have beaten four teams that are currently in the 8. The selective stats. We lost to so and so and so and so. Since we lost to them, what has happened. Simply selecting part of the season to justify your opinion of a team, like i did with the last 3 rounds. We have won at Cairns, Canberra,Sydney, MCG. lost launceston adelaide and geelong. This Etihad thing everyone is going on about is no different to you guys at home. When you play half your games on the same ground it becomes an advantage but saying because we are not playing at Etiihad we will get spanked is a bit out there. Personally I dont think the travel is such a big a deal as it was years ago either, anywhere except Darwin and Cairns. ITs only a few hours on a plane nowdays between most cities. On form I think we will have a crack. Many have tried to put the blowtorch to us but only hawthorn and port really did over the whole season. And since round 7 as you mentioned, we have generally found a way to win ugly if not on song. It should be a good game, but on the day, both teams have the ability to blow the other away if the other has an ordinary day. Carried away on form.... yeh, but have a look at the from over the last 10 or so weeks. It has been getting better and better, but yes as with the west coast it could all come crashing down in one game.

 

[ConcreteWaters]

I expect the Eagles to win this match, but you have to laugh at the 'flat track bully' accusations. It's pretty remarkable that we're bullying any sides at all, given where we've come from. And the reason we're in a strong position now is because we set up our season with unexpected wins over West Coast, Richmond, Adelaide, Sydney and GWS (who were 6-2 at the time) earlier in the year. The only top 8 sides we've lost to are Freo (probably would have won if not for a fumbled Mitch Wallis ground ball in the dying minutes) and Hawthorn (the game was a write-off after we suffered multiple early injuries).

There's no way the Dogs are flat track bullies. Playing quality footy and fully deserve their ladder position. Round 1 was one of my favourite games of the year despite us losing- fast, exciting and skillful. Will be a good contest and the Dogs can do some damage in September. Looking forward to rekindling our 90's rivalry in the coming years.

 

[Gunbarrel Jack]

Think this game will be a cracker. I want the dogs to win obviously, but you would think the Eagles will.

 

[jod23]

I think at home, we will be too good. The Dogs have traveled maybe twice in what 8 or 9 weeks? Subiaco is the toughest trip in the AFL. I think the Dogs will find that out this weekend.

 

[Ok Boomer]

They beat us lol, and we were not terrible that day, despite not being close to our peak form of the year. Bulldogs in 4th is a very exciting prospect from a neutral perspective, another attacking team along with us and the Hawks will be great to watch. The idea that Bulldogs are flat track bullies is wrong, you can see from the style of play they are a very switched on football side.

 

[D-N-R]

Should be a good game. The loss earlier in the season will mean we won't underestimate the Dogs, so it might be a blessing in disguise. I don't think we had hit our best form early on and the loss to Freo was a bit of a wake-up call. We were much stronger after that.

Our strength has been shutting down teams in the middle and putting heavy defensive pressure all over the ground, which has spared our depleted backline. In the last couple of games, we've lost a bit of that late on in games. I'm not sure if that is due to not having a strong ruck, the players tiring or just switching off. Maybe the training load has increased and the players are tiring early or maybe they just don't have the tank for a whole year playing like that. Hopefully it's the former.

The Dogs are playing well and have beaten some good sides - flogging poor sides might look like downhill skiing, but you still have to be hungry and switched on to do it. We did that last year, yet wilted against the quality sides. The Dogs are ahead of where we were last year I reckon, so their future looks bright regardless of the result this weekend. A top four finish for them would be great for the development of their squad as it would guarantee two finals at least.

 

[go you pups]

Everyone talking up the dogs like they have beaten anyone of note, they have flat track bullied the bottom sides
View attachment 163373 ... plus majority of the games at Ethiad..fully expect them to drop to 5th by seasons end

Nice selective stats there brah

Might just find a few selective stats of my own

How about we just go with the records that matter at this current time, win/loss against top 8 teams taking points off your direct competition

WCE vs current top 8 teams
Round 1 loss to the Dogs by 10 points A
Round 3 loss to Freo by 30 points H
Round 10 loss to North by 10 points A
Round 12 victory against Richmond by 20 points A
Round 15 victory against Adelaide by 56 points H (1st game back for Adelaide after Walsh tragedy)
Round 17 victory against Sydney by 52 points H
Round 19 loss to Hawthorn by 14 points H
Round 20 victory against Freo by 24 points H

4 wins and 4 losses against top 8 teams in 2015, their best wins have came recently though against Sydney and Freo, games against the Dogs again and the Crows to finish the year from the top 8 perspective

WB vs current top 8 teams
Round 1 victory vs WCE by 10 points H
Round 2 victory vs Richmond by 19 points A
Round 3 loss to Hawthorn by 70 points A (Bont, M Boyd & Wood were all out injured that week & both Wallis & Morris were done by quarter time)
Round 4 victory vs Adelaide by 57 points H
Round 5 victory vs Sydney by 4 points A
Round 7 loss to Freo by 13 points H

4 wins and 2 losses against top 8 teams in 2015 with WCE again and North to come, it's stupid how we have to wait until round 22 to play North for the first time this season though, when we've already played 4 teams twice before then.

Looking at this, WCE have only played 1 top 8 team twice so far due to the necessary AFL doctored double up against Freo, both teams have won 4 games vs top 8 teams in 2015, the only difference really between the teams is WCE's only howler of a performance was against Gold Coast and that was a draw, while the Dogs howlers were games against St Kilda and Melbourne, but made up for them beating them the 2nd time around.

Both teams have only lost 1 game since round 10 also, WCE have played better opposition in that time beating all of them except Hawthorn, but they had a softish start to the year only losing to top 8 teams in the first 10 weeks while playing poorer opposition in that time, the Dogs had a hard run against top 8 teams in the first 7 weeks winning 4 and losing 2, those 4 wins have been crucial for their current position on the ladder ahead of Richmond and North in particular who had slow starts to the year, while the win over Sydney separates the two teams currently.

The Dogs have been lucky after their bye beating a few declining teams that were expected to be in the 8/challenging for finals like GC, Collingwood, Essendon and Port, while WCE have played many stronger teams at home and lesser likes away. Though we will get a firmer opinion on the Dogs in the next two weeks against WCE and North imo, this makes or breaks their season, if they fail here then the haters could play the flat track card based off the last couple of weeks, but if WCE fail the next 2 weeks then why can't they be labelled as something similar due to what they've done all season?

 

[go you pups]

They beat us lol, and we were not terrible that day, despite not being close to our peak form of the year. Bulldogs in 4th is a very exciting prospect from a neutral perspective, another attacking team along with us and the Hawks will be great to watch. The idea that Bulldogs are flat track bullies is wrong, you can see from the style of play they are a very switched on football side.

You kicked 14.3 that day, incredible efficiency, if we kicked straight in the last quarter we would've won by 4-5 goals though kicking 14.13

But on the flipside, later in the season you should've smashed Collingwood kicking 11.21 that day, but only won by 5 goals

Both games WCE scored 87 points and both games were at Etihad weird ay

 

[Ok Boomer]

Our accuracy has been bizarre this year, the Geelong game was shocking also. I was making the point in a round about way that your lot played very well, even for round 1.

 

[go you pups]

Our accuracy has been bizarre this year, the Geelong game was shocking also. I was making the point in a round about way that your lot played very well, even for round 1.

Both teams capitalising on forward half turnovers was a highlight of that game, most of your scoring was from that though banging the ball through the guts on the rebound getting it inside 50 quick and into an open forward line.

Since the St Kilda loss we have changed our playing style, we've gone from the heavy forward press leaving ourselves exposed down back which was how St Kilda beat us once we tired out in the 3rd quarter of that game after a huge 1st half and struggling to get numbers back late in the game, to playing the zone defence now and running in numbers and spreading, we had a lull in form against St KIlda, Carlton and Gold Coast, but we beat those teams off the back of 1 quarter of footy such as the 3rd against Stk/Carl and the last against GC where we kicked 10 after kicking 4.9 the first 3 quarters. I listened to Chris Scott on 360 and he said targeting the Dogs rebounding defence was key in their win against us, M Boyd, Wood and Murphy were down that day with only Johannisen creating run while Boyd didn't take a mark that day and Stevie J played a negative game on Wood keeping him honest. Port and Melbourne the first time we played them shut down our rebounders also, but they won the midfield battle those days too which was why their winning margins were 5 goals better than Geelong's.

Though, I think that forward pressure will be a weapon to use come finals time if we make it and will be useful if our rebounding game is off, or if we need to start quarters/games with intent.