How confident are you about the upcoming game against St Kilda?

[dogwatch]

I'm a lifelong Western Bulldogs supporter. What do you think?

Oh, OK. So you're pretty sure it'll go pear shaped.
Probably right too.

Not to worry, mate, there's always next year...

 

[theAthenian]

For me this is the game that tells us if we are the real deal as far as finals are concerned
I believe that this team statistically is an anomaly simply due to an incredible volatile mix of:

• freakish young talent across the whole team across all lines

• an incredible 5 senior players who in their age group are among the top 20 of seniors across the competition atm

• the pent up frustrations of a wasted year under an inferior game day coach

• the type of cockiness that intimidates

• the benefits of having FFC in building depth of list which is excellent

• a coach with the midas touch and biceps of steel

• and finally a leader of men as captain

If we win 10goals +
I'm dialing the travel agent

 

[ThirdLegUp]

with Jong out... 50-50... He is a big lose, we lose speed and size, plus a third up option... Jongy being out could well be Cordy out also. that would be a rather large change from our mid set up all year... it could well break our cohesion.

 

[hutchy31]

Bit worried about the ruck contest, and concerned about how our backs go with their talls. But...

If we're a finals side we put the saints away by 40+. I'm not sure we can sustain the current patch of form, and I'm half expecting us to just fall over the line, but if we play like the last couple of weeks we're worthy favourites and hopefully continue momentum heading into the Freo game.

 

[Nuggets73]

I'm excited .. And I don't even support the Dogs!!

Some great wins so far .. Absolutely thrilled to see you guys on the up!!!

 

[Yojimbo]

St Kilda have been ahead in many games this year only to
be overrun late in the game. The return of Riewoldt and
Montagna cannot be underestimated it is akin to us
getting Murphy and Moyd back if they were out. Touch
wood, not you Easton not that there is anything wrong
with that.

 

[SonOfScray]

Confident, however these games were the type where we would shit the bed in previous iterations of the team who had their tails up.

Two big monkeys on the back: winning games we should expect to win. Deer in the headlights on the biggest stages.

 

[Lex22]

Massive danger game and the Saints pressure has been excellent, they just don't have the polish yet. I get the feeling we'll bring in Biggs, Grant and Hunter and look to hurt them big time on the turnover. Honestly, I'll be content just getting the 4 points hence getting another win. These are the games that we have to win if we're to make the 8 this year.

 

[Dogs_r_barking]

Wally should be back for Jongy this week. However we need some speed - time to blood another kid I think.

 

[Dogs Rule]

Very confident.

Ready for us to crush the Saints. It's been a long time coming, but a little bit of payback for 09 would be sweet.

Hope Bailey Dale gets a gig to replace Jong.

 

[Norm De Guerre]

Oh, OK. So you're pretty sure it'll go pear shaped.
Probably right too.

Not to worry, mate, there's always next year...

You're assuming that there is a negative connotation to my reply.
Probably right too.

 

[DexterTan]

It's strange.

This is probably the first time as a Bulldogs supporter I've thought the dogs would win. No "depending on which bulldog team rocks up" doubts.

It could very well be Tom Boyd's breakout game.

Another great challenge for the backline with Reiwoldt back.

Team selection will be interesting.

The plan is for a couple of Saints supporters from work joining for the game.

Should be an interestig experience.

 

[Zgope1]

I'm confident because bevo hasn't let me down yet but I don't see us having an easy ride against a st Kilda with riewoldt, Montagna back and their two veteran backs are in form. Really want Wallis to come up for this one

 

[JTCWBFC]

Screams as one of those games where a let down is a real possibility.

Just watched Dahl's presser on the website, and despite being riddled with cliches, it is clear they are hungry and are already looking to next week.

Winning is infectious and these kids will be hungry for more. I think we can come out back it up next week. Saints will be a tough contest, but I think we have the quality, game plan and belief at the moment to get over the line.

 

[House_of_Dahl]

I'll take any win, but I think there is a chance we smash them. Our guys have something going on atm!

 

[the dog's kennel]

Danger game for mine.

 

[bresker]

I think it will be a close one and am not confident at all. Last week's win would have been exhausting, although the extra day's break would have suited us. Saints have only played poorly in the Carlton defeat.

We're due a loss.

That said we'll probably eat them for breakfast and crap down their throats I hate St Kilda more than any other team.

 

[JTCWBFC]

I think their defence actually matches up really well on our forward line with Dempster and Fisher as smaller KPD to go to Crameri and Stringer.

Delaney is no world beater but will be accountable for Boyd, we will need to be really up and about to get a win for sure.

 

[Zgope1]

I think their defence actually matches up really well on our forward line with Dempster and Fisher as smaller KPD to go to Crameri and Stringer.

Delaney is no world beater but will be accountable for Boyd, we will need to be really up and about to get a win for sure.

That's not where I see the trouble. Stringer and Crameri will eat those two. Stringers too big for Dempster and crameri plays too far up for Fisher.

If we lose I reckon it's around the ball

 

[timtamWB]

Not overly confident.

We're going to be very tired coming off that Sydney game. St. Kilda are riding high on confidence and get Montagna and Riewoldt back too. Real danger game.

 

[wian]

Honestly dont see how st kilda are riding high on confidence - they are in the bottom 4 so theres nothing to be confident about....... Also, we beat them last year and we were 1/4 the side we are at the moment. I dont think Murphy and Bevvo will let our players under estimate them

If we bring the pressure like the last 2 games they wont stand a chance.......

 

[Dogs Rule]

I think it will be a close one and am not confident at all. Last week's win would have been exhausting, although the extra day's break would have suited us. Saints have only played poorly in the Carlton defeat.

We're due a loss.

That said we'll probably eat them for breakfast and crap down their throats I hate St Kilda more than any other team.

I understand that feeling, but I truly believe this team is different. I share your feelings about the Saints. I don't care how they're travelling, I would like to crush them like ants.

Surely people aren't afraid of Montagna and Riewoldt. Please.

 

[Merlins Revenge]

The thing about the Dogs this year, is that we've covered for players we didn't think we had cover for. Libba, Wallis and Morris. I know Jong out hurts us for his 3rd man up efforts, clearances and speed, but I'm backing Bev here. We definitely won't underestimate the Saints.

A few points:

• The Saints have really only played 1 team that pressures their opponent all over the ground, and that's Collingwood. How did that pan out for them? I'd like to think we apply more pressure to teams than the Pies do.
• Besides Josh Bruce and Riewoldt, their forward line lacks quality, and their mids have been coughing up the ball and turning it over in spades this season. If we keep our zone, hassle them all day, Bruce won't be an issue.
• Luke Delaney is their best defender right now. Kept Danniher to something like 3 handballs and no goals? Also, moved onto Carisle who was threatening to break the game open, and quelled him. He'll go to our best forward in my mind, which is Stringer.
• There is talk Shane Savage could miss, which is big for them as he sets up a lot of their attacking play.
• They are far from a settled side. Last week they brought in 5 players, omitting 5. One of which was a first gamer if I'm not mistaken, 1 came into their defence (Webster). The downside to so many changers is that your team will lack some cohesion. The benefit to our defence right now is the experience, trust and continuity they've built.

All in all, I think if we show up thinking this is in the bag we'll get our asses handed to us. If we bring the same pressure we had against the Swans, we've got it. There was an article about us that linked in a video of Al Pachino in Any Given Sunday when he was giving that famous "fight for that inch" speech. On our team, we definitely fight for that inch. We claw, scrap and pressure opponents until that final siren sounds, and we hear our glorious song blast throughout the stadium, because we're the BULLDOGS!

GO DOGS!

 

[Ash1337]

I'm 50/50 on this one. This should be one they can win but we are going to lose a couple of games against sides they should be able to beat.

 

[paul scholes]

Have to bring our game, no doubt.
They're carrying a more experienced side than us, and in particular if Riewoldt and Joey return. Let's face it a team with our history is never confident, but a Saint workmate isn't happy with Stkilda seemingly content with a great effort last week. Also worried hearing Armitage saying the group was " flat" after a heartbreaking defeat