Autopsy JLT Series. What you liked/disliked

[Cori]

I got stupid sunburnt today too. Stupid whitey.

 

[compact72]

I took the kids down and spent a bit of time chasing after them. Here were my take aways:

1. The most important observation - Suckling has shaved that woeful mess off his head. Big tick.

2. English affected nearly every tap during ruck contests against BTC. His ruck duels against Boyd were much harder as Boyd used his weight really well against him, putting him off balance. Timmy looks like he's filled out a little, or at least he has toned up, looked as though he has some form of muscle on his frame now. One play from a centre bounce he tapped it to his advantage, collected and cleared the ball in a freakishly natural way. Another play on the wing, he contested a mark and it spilled behind him, he spun and collected below his knees with one hand and launched it into the forward fifty off 2 steps. One last play that I just wowed at was after an uncontested mark on the defensive 50 arc. He took a moment surveying the ground before launching a huge kick to the opposite wing hitting Williams who had lost his defender, square on the chest. He seriously looks like something special. I just hope we manage his weight really well and get a great balance between his natural agility while developing his core strength.

3. Bob seemed to be in better touch than last week actually hitting targets and making better decisions.

4. JJ is as silky as ever. If he isn't our most important player by mid season, I'll eat my membership. Was everywhere today.

5. Williams had some very nice quick plays as a link up in the midfield. Broke lines, had quick hands and a couple of really nice clearing kicks to the advantage of his team mates. Can see him forging forward this year through the midfield.

5. Wallis and Redpath were the only two not playing (Roughy was absent from the day entirely).

I found it really hard telling who was who with new haircuts, no numbers and constant guernsey changes so I didn't get a read on Lipinski or the other new kids.

and bont?

 

[Cori]

and bont?

He was regular Bont haha. He killed it through the middle, he killed it everywhere.

 

[Bemoreboyddog]

So was it an actual 22 v 22 game? If I'd known that I would have come. Club usually says if it's an intra-club. Big difference between training and intra-club.

 

[CaptainMurphy]

I took the kids down and spent a bit of time chasing after them. Here were my take aways:

1. The most important observation - Suckling has shaved that woeful mess off his head. Big tick.

2. English affected nearly every tap during ruck contests against BTC. His ruck duels against Boyd were much harder as Boyd used his weight really well against him, putting him off balance. Timmy looks like he's filled out a little, or at least he has toned up, looked as though he has some form of muscle on his frame now. One play from a centre bounce he tapped it to his advantage, collected and cleared the ball in a freakishly natural way. Another play on the wing, he contested a mark and it spilled behind him, he spun and collected below his knees with one hand and launched it into the forward fifty off 2 steps. One last play that I just wowed at was after an uncontested mark on the defensive 50 arc. He took a moment surveying the ground before launching a huge kick to the opposite wing hitting Williams who had lost his defender, square on the chest. He seriously looks like something special. I just hope we manage his weight really well and get a great balance between his natural agility while developing his core strength.

3. Bob seemed to be in better touch than last week actually hitting targets and making better decisions.

4. JJ is as silky as ever. If he isn't our most important player by mid season, I'll eat my membership. Was everywhere today.

5. Williams had some very nice quick plays as a link up in the midfield. Broke lines, had quick hands and a couple of really nice clearing kicks to the advantage of his team mates. Can see him forging forward this year through the midfield.

5. Wallis and Redpath were the only two not playing (Roughy was absent from the day entirely).

I found it really hard telling who was who with new haircuts, no numbers and constant guernsey changes so I didn't get a read on Lipinski or the other new kids.

I'm going to be hard for days over point 2

 

[compact72]

**** I'm excited for 2017


New Dogs, new tricks

Continued improvement has been the name of the game at the kennel this preseason says midfielder Jack Macrae.

Speaking to gathered media at the Western Bulldogs Fan Day at Victoria University Whitten Oval on Saturday afternoon, Macrae said the Club hasn’t stood still over the off season and the competition can expect a different looking Bulldogs outfit this season.

“I think it’s just all phases of the game, ball movement, stoppages, defence," Macrae said when asked what changes fans can expect.

“Bevo’s really great at adapting to what we need, the personnel that we play week to week; so we’re not going to go out the same way we did last year, we’re going to look to improve in all areas.”

But Macrae stopped short of forecasting a radical overhaul of the Dogs’ game plan.

“You’re not going to throw it all out – there’s just a few things that we have to improve on – which is really exciting for the group”

As the Dogs prepared for next Thursday’s JLT Community Series match with an hour-long match simulation, Macrae said it was good to ‘fine tune’ a few things on the track before taking on the Lions at Etihad Stadium.

The 23-year-old Macrae recorded career highs in disposals last season despite spending 40% of this time in the forward, and is keen to continue to build his versatility as a player.

“[The] versatility of our group [is important] so whether it’s going forward or wing or inside I just look to play my role where I can.”

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2017-02-25/new-dogs-new-tricks

Macrae gave media bit of a whack which was nice. Awesome interview imo

 

[Cori]

I should clarify that everyone else played as expected. I was looking for specific stand outs really. Dahl, Macrae, Picken, Daniel, Libba were all solid. Jong did some nice things too, it looked like he was actively choosing to handball instead of kick in opportunities where he would have previously blazed. Was good to see as I didn't see him miss a target by hand.

So was it an actual 22 v 22 game? If I'd known that I would have come. Club usually says if it's an intra-club. Big difference between training and intra-club.

Defs was an intra club, not sure if it was 22v22, I saw trainers out on the field filling numbers so could have been.

 

[Cori]

I'm going to be hard for days over point 2

My jaw literally dropped more than once seeing the stuff he was doing. Genuine talent.

 

[Cori]

One more thing. Cloke spent a heap of time up and down the wing. Didn't take a mark inside 50 for the match but took heaps out of defense, on the wing and on the forward 50. His disposal into 50 was pretty good too. Hit two lead up targets. Bailey Dale took a nice grab and converted from a Cloke entry. Don't think we'll see him sitting inside 50 very much at all this season.

 

[Bemoreboyddog]

I should clarify that everyone else played as expected. I was looking for specific stand outs really. Dahl, Macrae, Picken, Daniel, Libba were all solid. Jong did some nice things too, it looked like he was actively choosing to handball instead of kick in opportunities where he would have previously blazed. Was good to see as I didn't see him miss a target by hand.



Defs was an intra club, not sure if it was 22v22, I saw trainers out on the field filling numbers so could have been.

I'm so annoyed, not sure why the club wouldn't say it was an intra-club. Miffed.

Any thoughts on Kieran Collins?

 

[Cori]

Any thoughts on Kieran Collins?

He didn't stand out at all. To be honest, none of the tall defenders did. Adams took a nice contested grab but butchered the following kick.

 

[Cori]

Just gotta say, Picken has to be the most criminally underrated player ever. He kicked two great running goals today and played like it was the real deal, getting from contest to contest all over the ground. Should have included that in my opening post. Probs my favorite player ever.

 

[jdz101]

2. English affected nearly every tap during ruck contests against BTC. His ruck duels against Boyd were much harder as Boyd used his weight really well against him, putting him off balance. Timmy looks like he's filled out a little, or at least he has toned up, looked as though he has some form of muscle on his frame now. One play from a centre bounce he tapped it to his advantage, collected and cleared the ball in a freakishly natural way. Another play on the wing, he contested a mark and it spilled behind him, he spun and collected below his knees with one hand and launched it into the forward fifty off 2 steps. One last play that I just wowed at was after an uncontested mark on the defensive 50 arc. He took a moment surveying the ground before launching a huge kick to the opposite wing hitting Williams who had lost his defender, square on the chest. He seriously looks like something special. I just hope we manage his weight really well and get a great balance between his natural agility while developing his core strength.

 

[Eastdog]

The intra club looked to be a good hit out. There were some really good goals and a few cheers when Clokey got the ball.

Sat up in the Whitten Stand nearer the admin building. Great to be back at the Whitten Oval again last time being last week. We have been very lucky with the weather in February.

 

[Eastdog]

The intra club looked to be a good hit out. There were some really goals and a few cheers when Clokey got the ball.

Sat up in the Whitten Stand nearer the admin building. Great to be back at the Whitten Oval again last time being last week. We have been very lucky with the weather in February.

Would be great hopefully over the coming years if the full team comes out for the East West Day.

 

[Footscrazy]

Just gotta say, Picken has to be the most criminally underrated player ever. He kicked two great running goals today and played like it was the real deal, getting from contest to contest all over the ground. Should have included that in my opening post. Probs my favorite player ever.

How did Stringer go? He played on ball a fair chunk of the Dees game and did some nice things. A few times he burst packs in his own Judd/Dangerish type of way. Maybe we can have our "Death" centre bounce crew, Libba, Bont, Stringer, any of those guys get their hands on the footy look out.

 

[Cori]

Stringer seemed to play more forward than he did against the Dees. He did spend some time in the middle but didn't see him burst out as he has before. Took some nice grabs on the wing and at half forward. Nothing to write home about.

 

[Mr. Walker]

Sorry this is so late - had a funeral and a wedding last week (the highs and lows of family life!)

I went to a training session the Dogs did as part of their country visit last week. Very light training consisting of rapid handball drills and then later a drill of kicking on the non-preferred foot. Even though it appeared to be a light session only Mitch Wallis did not participate. For the first half of the session he ran laps by himself (looked at his watch a lot ? may have been timing himself?). For the second half he positioned himself between two coaches who were each 30 metres away on opposite sides to him and kicked the ball to them in turn then they kicked it back. The coaches were stationary but Mich never stopped running through the whole session. I gather he is still some time away from playing again.

 

[X_box_X]

For the first half of the session he ran laps by himself (looked at his watch a lot ? may have been timing himself?).

I recall Libba doing the same thing at the training session I attended in the lead up to the 2015 Elimination Final.

 

[yebiga]

Alright you pack of conceited circle jerks - we've had our time in the sun over the summer. We have all by now experienced the new found respect from our work peers and friends who support the other 17 struggling opposition teams.

We have stood at the mountain top and enjoyed the view, the fresh air, the supremacy and bathed in it.

Summer is over on Tomorrow - we've had our break and we want more cups and flags.

So let's fire up boys
I'm going have my half gympsy sister sacrifice a few chickens tomorrow night.

I want MD here challenge the rights of everyone to be in our 22 including the Bont.

Now lethargy no complacency
I declare war on season 2017
We are bigger we are a little older we are stronger and this is our time

Put on the face paint and let's get going on the rd of back to back.

Libber if your reading this - switch on - you have another level to go - and snap Stringer in to shape - his time is now too

This is our time.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Just come out of hibernation or maybe just sober enough to post again it has been a glorious summer. No great expectations this season. I see all the other clubs are going in raptures how they are going to improve. I will simply be happy with a repeat of how we played last year. Oh by way that will be mean Bob will be holding the cup and remember it is 63 years since we have won a grand final in September.

 

[JJHunter]

Alright you pack of self conceited circle jerks - we've had our time in the sun over the summer. We have all by now experienced the new found respect from our work peers and friends who support the other 17 struggling opposition teams.

We have stood at the mountain top and enjoyed the view, the fresh air, the supremacy and bathed in it.

Summer is over on Tomorrow - we've had our break and we want more cups and flags.

So let's fire up boys
I'm going have my half gympsy sister sacrifice a few chickens tomorrow night.

I want MD here challenge the rights of everyone to be in our 22 including the Bont.

Now lethargy no complacency
I declare war on season 2017
We are bigger we are a little older we are stronger and this is our time

Put on the face paint and let's get going on the rd of back to back.

Libber if your reading this - switch on - you have another level to go - and snap Stringer in to shape - his time is now too

This is our time.

I just hope people have realistic expectations both on team and individuals.

We did finish 7th last year.
Boyd and stringer did play at vfl levels.
English is in his first year.

Nothing is going to come easy and a top four finish will mean we have to play near on every week as we did in the finals series.

I think we can and will finish top four. But I'm going on with open eyes knowing just how tough the mountain is to climb.

Same goes for Boyd - the expectations of a million dollar man and pick one will be added to now to reproduce norm smith like performances and dominate the league.

 

[yebiga]

I just hope people have realistic expectations both on team and individuals.

We did finish 7th last year.
Boyd and stringer did play at vfl levels.
English is in his first year.

Nothing is going to come easy and a top four finish will mean we have to play near on every week as we did in the finals series.

I think we can and will finish top four. But I'm going on with open eyes knowing just how tough the mountain is to climb.

Same goes for Boyd - the expectations of a million dollar man and pick one will be added to now to reproduce norm smith like performances and dominate the league.

There is no room for this backsliding or whining. We the champs see! And as long as we stay fat those other teams are all second best - see!

 

[ScragCity]

If we aren't clearly in the top two teams this year I'll be amazed. No one should be coming close to us and GWS.

 

[compact72]

If we aren't clearly in the top two teams this year I'll be amazed. No one should be coming close to us and GWS.

Didn't you hear the latest news? We will be found out and already have a premiership hangover.