Preview Rnd 14 - Carlton v Western Bulldogs Saturday 4th July 7.30pm @ Etihad

[MrsEddieBetts]

Mezzoculo 's Preview​

MATCH PREVIEW -- Carlton v Western Bulldogs​

Etihad Stadium, Saturday July 4th at 7.20pm.


When we last met…

Consider this.

Massive offseason list changes.


Head coach sacked.


A club champion and Brownlow medalist gone.


And that’s just Footscray.


Considering all that has happened to our team since we last played the Dogs, there seems little point comparing our recent encounters. So, I won’t. This may be a little more informative though…


Recent Form (last 5)

Footscray (3-0-1, 383pts for — 299pts against, 128%):

Rnd 9 - WIN vs Giants (16.17.113 to 9.10.64)

Rnd 10 - LOSS vs Power (16.4.100 to 9.8.62)

Rnd 11 - BYE

Rnd 12 - WIN vs Lions (22.14.146 to 11.8.74)

Rnd 13 - WIN vs Saints (9.8.62 to 7.14.56)


Carlton (2-0-2, 365pts for — 396pts against, 92%):

Rnd 9 - LOSS vs Swans (19.8.122 to 9.8.62)

Rnd 10 - LOSS vs Crows (14.15.99 to 14.6.90)

Rnd 11 - BYE

Rnd 12 - WIN vs Power (17.8.110 to 16.10.106)

Rnd 13 - WIN vs Suns (14.19.103 to 9.15.69)


After turning our back on the second coming of God.. errr Mick and bowing low at the altar of John the Baptis… umm assistant, Carlton has declared it has abandoned its need for saviours. Or something. Either way, our pious calls to the footballing deities have been answered and we are playing a brand of inspired, carefree and - just as important - winning football.


Sadly for us, so too are the Bulldogs. Two sh…ock losses to the Dees and Saints aside, Footscray have exceeded expectations in 2015. Their manic defensive press and numerous avenues to goal make them a dangerous matchup.


So, how do we win? Our back six will need to think its way through the high defensive press the Dog’s employ - with the help of our midfielders. That’ll mean plenty of link up run and carry. We’ll need to separate their defenders, especially the recently returned Morris and The Janitor, Easton Wood. That guy mops up everything. So, clever entries into the forward 50. When we don’t have the ball, Armfield will need to sit on ol’ Bob - can’t let him distribute the ball at will, he’s too accurate a kick. Someone will need to limit the impact of Stringer and, to a lesser extent, Tory Dickson. These two can impact a game in a few short bursts. If he’s fit, I’d really like to see Doch get the role on Dahlhaus, as Lukey has really stepped up his midfield game this year and may be too much of a handful for Bucks or Zach. What about Tom Boyd, you ask? Well, he’s not really a concern. its only early days for the once soon-to-be-Blue but he is yet to win a game off his own boot, kicking goals only when the Dogs are up and about. If he kicks five on Rowe then it’ll be because we’ve been beaten all over the ground, not because he’s the lone hand. That said, I have faith in big Sammy and back in our blue collar to beat their dog collar.


There’s more I could add but I see that MEB_ is getting antsy to get our talk of a three-peat underway. Not that that’s a jinx or anything…


Result: Blues by 1.


Teams will be added when announced (and apologies for the delay).

 

[HARKER]

You're gonna get in trouuuuuuuuuubbbbbbbbbbbbbbble

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

You're gonna get in trouuuuuuuuuubbbbbbbbbbbbbbbllllllllllllle

Thought I'd take a walk on the wild side.

Heard that Doc got injured yesterday...there might be a few more changes for this game than I was anticipating.

 

[HARKER]

No Gibbs......Menzel a possible out (which may be a good thing as he's not right)
Docherty would be a real blow though. Is poised and really starts a lot of attack from defence.

Take 2: Jamison & Boekhorst should be no-brainers this week.
Had Johnson as a smokey last week but the right opportunity may just present this week.

Would be good to have all our best players on the park but given that won't happen, this has been a great time to filter through the newbies.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Would love to see Johnson out there. I know we can't take too much out of yesterday's VFL game but he has been quite consistent this year.

 

[HARKER]

If Menzel doesn't come up, then Johnson should be a very good chance.

It would go against us playing too many kids at the one time but again............it doesn't look to me that Cripps, Graham, Buckley nor Holman are particularly over-awed by the opposition.
Taking into account the possible injuries and what the Dogs may throw up, the side may look something like:

Simpson Jamison White
Tuohy Rowe Buckley
Everitt Cripps Yarran
Bell Henderson Graham
Johnson Casboult Kreuzer

Wood Carrazzo Murphy

Curnow Armfield Holman Boekhorst

 

[Jatz]

As stated in the previous thread, I'd take Rowe out for Jamo. His disposal just isn't good enough.

I think Menz will miss so he comes out as well.

Boeky and Jamo for me as well.

 

[slashin_velvet]

As stated in the previous thread, I'd take Rowe out for Jamo. His disposal just isn't good enough.

I think Menz will miss so he comes out as well.

Boeky and Jamo for me as well.

I think Rowe stays in, we just shouldnt be using him as a linkman for the switch. He's our biggest and strongest defender - so he stays in to play on the Gorillas with White and Jamo to play on the quicker leading KPF's. White is more versatile, so can push into the midefield or off the HBF depending on needs.

 

[T2B_]

Noooooo not Doc.

He's been amazing, even carrying that knee niggle.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Noooooo not Doc.

He's been amazing, even carrying that knee niggle.

Hopefully it's just a little something that won't prevent him from playing this week, he's in great form. Things are looking up with Kreuzer, Docherty, Cripps, Buckley, Graham, Bell and even Holman in the side.

 

[rp84]

I think Rowe stays in, we just shouldnt be using him as a linkman for the switch. He's our biggest and strongest defender - so he stays in to play on the Gorillas with White and Jamo to play on the quicker leading KPF's. White is more versatile, so can push into the midefield or off the HBF depending on needs.

There is nowhere to hide in the AFL though. His disposal is bottom 5% of the league IMO. Everyone needs to be able to link up. Everyone needs to trust each other. It would be very hard to trust kicking to hi. Having second thoughts kills momentum and causes turnovers.

Do we need him this week? I would think Jammo has enough smarts to play on Boyd and do a job.

For mine, changes will resemble:

-out: doc (precaution), menzel (knee), ellard, rowe
-ins: johnson, boek, jammo and maybe fields for his first game as sub (or dick)

We have enough run out of half back at the moment with yaz, tuohy and buckley so resting doc isnt the end of the world.
Menzel for blaine straight swap.
Boek for ellard- extra outside pace, big upgrade against a quick team
Jammo for Rowe straight swap ( unless White doesn't come up- ankle looked real proppy in the last)


I am actually excited to watch us play a form side with some confidence. Not really expecting a win, but if we continue to show aggression and attempt to play sexy footy, I will be happy.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

There is nowhere to hide in the AFL though. His disposal is bottom 5% of the league IMO. Everyone needs to be able to link up. Everyone needs to trust each other. It would be very hard to trust kicking to hi. Having second thoughts kills momentum and causes turnovers.

Do we need him this week? I would think Jammo has enough smarts to play on Boyd and do a job.

For mine, changes will resemble:

-out: doc (precaution), menzel (knee), ellard, rowe
-ins: johnson, boek, jammo and maybe fields for his first game as sub (or dick)

We have enough run out of half back at the moment with yaz, tuohy and buckley so resting doc isnt the end of the world.
Menzel for blaine straight swap.
Boek for ellard- extra outside pace, big upgrade against a quick team
Jammo for Rowe straight swap ( unless White doesn't come up- ankle looked real proppy in the last)


I am actually excited to watch us play a form side with some confidence. Not really expecting a win, but if we continue to show aggression and attempt to play sexy footy, I will be happy.

Rowe's DE yesterday was 75%. Much better than Hendo, Wood and even Everitt.

 

[rp84]

Rowe's DE yesterday was 75%. Much better than Hendo, Wood and even Everitt.

Yeah, but a long garbage kick that puts a team mate under pressure is an effective disposal. Kicked the ball long out of bounds twice too when he had an open man.

Very misleading stat.

 

[slashin_velvet]

Rowe's DE yesterday was 75%. Much better than Hendo, Wood and even Everitt.

Unfortunately defenders poor disposals look a lot worse because the turnover is closer to the opposition goal. He's done enough to keep his spot for mine, but I can see why others disagree.

I still think Henderson + Jamo + White would be our best 3 tall defenders as a unit.

 

[Jatz]

Rowe's DE yesterday was 75%. Much better than Hendo, Wood and even Everitt.

Yes but when he misses a stationary target, there's no one behind him to stop the opposition running into goal.

It's absolutely vital he hits his targets.

 

[rp84]

And all of those players you compared to would have significantly higher errors related to contested possession.

Rowe had 7 kicks, mostly uncontested with no-one around him, and butchered it at least half of those.

Don't get me wrong, I like his defence. His 1% are off the charts. And he seems like a good bloke. IMO he is a nice depth KPP. A much better player needs to come in for him, and is ready to come in for him.

 

[HBF]

Rowe will be better with Jamo in the team. It was only last weekend that he took Schultz out of the game. Hope Doc gets up for the game. He's been brilliant this year.

 

[fizzkakz]

Heard that Doc got injured yesterday...there might be a few more changes for this game than I was anticipating.

I was sitting right next to the interchange gate and noticed he looked very sore every time he was coming to the bench.

 

[MC_Doggy_Frog18]

Jamo hasn't played for a while and you want Rowe out and Jamo the only tall by himself, unless you put Hendo down back but then we would only have one tall forward in Casboult. I'd keep Rowe.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Just trying to get the discussion rolling, you guys. I didn't say I wanted to keep or drop Rowe.

I feel like Rowe plays better when Jamo is in the team, anyway. You drop Rowe and we're looking pretty short.

 

[Jatz]

Didn't realise Doc was carrying something week to week.

Must say, I certainly don't think he's in the great form people make out. He tries harder than anything but there are some things he does in defense that he really just shouldn't. Maybe my expectations of him are too high.

I love the guy and love how much this club means to him. I expect he'll continue to improve out of sight over the next couple of seasons

On Menz, I'm not his biggest fan but I don't understand the criticisms of him from yesterday's game. That was the hardest I'd seen him tackle and put his body on the line. Saad made him look a bit silly in the middle of the ground but that aside, thought he played quite well until the injury.

 

[JustaBattler]

No way Rowe gets dropped - absolutely no way.

 

[MC_Doggy_Frog18]

didn't one of the coaches say doc was doing well considering it has been tough for him to get up every week and play?

 

[Jatz]

Just trying to get the discussion rolling, you guys. I didn't say I wanted to keep or drop Rowe.

I feel like Rowe plays better when Jamo is in the team, anyway. You drop Rowe and we're looking pretty short.

Much like Rowe looking short all day yesterday against that man mountain, Dixon

Thankfully the Dogs don't really have anyone that sized.

Who goes to Stringer? Buckley?

 

[T2B_]

I'd worry if we drop Rowe and Jamo happened to go down... wouldn't be pretty.

Rowey aint perfect but he is fairly durable and on his day many of us sing his praises when he's saving us in defense. Probably have to take the good with the bad ATM.