Autopsy The gentle dogs go down in a thriller

[Bulldogs85]

Bevo said in his press conference that Croft copped a concussion the bye can’t come quick enough

 

[adogsfan5]

Is this on Jones or our setup?

 

[Struggle]

Think the criticism of JOD has been harsh- thought he did okay up forward.

Odd that he shuffled back in the second quarter for a period.

Buku was an odd choice for sub imo.

He went back when Keath was having a concussion test for 20 minutes

My criticism isn't on JOD but throwing out the defensive structure that had worked so well for a month and then getting opened up because of it

 

[Walsh Bay]

Beaten by a much better side, etc.

But I haven't seen us looking that sore and beaten up since those dark weeks of 2022.

We have a swelling injury list at both senior and VFL level, and we're playing blokes who are more than just 'carrying something'.

Bring on the bye.

 

[geoffjennings79]

I'm traditionally harsh on VDM, but he also had the worst I50 entry of the night.

Mid Q3, he broke clear on the far wing, Bont was streaming forward through the middle, no-one ahead with a 1-1 up forward (JOD I think) who did the right thing and led wide...

...and VDM inexplicably kicked it as far as he could, deep into the pocket and oob...

He was trying to kick it over the top to Lobb who was running towards goal. Good in theory, except Lobb didn't have sufficient separation from his defender, and VDM isn't skilled enough to make that kick. To be fair, he'd hit up a target in a similar scenario earlier (JOD or JUH?), but in that one the forward was leading away from goal.

If only our forwards consistently spread and create space for ONE to lead towards the ball carrier. Rarely part of our system though. Unlike the Eade days where forwards (albeit smaller across the board) spread, led and were pinpointed.

 

[MrChristo]

He was trying to kick it over the top to Lobb who was running towards goal. Good in theory, except Lobb didn't have sufficient separation from his defender, and VDM isn't skilled enough to make that kick. To be fair, he'd hit up a target in a similar scenario earlier (JOD or JUH?), but in that one the forward was leading away from goal.

If only our forwards consistently spread and create space for ONE to lead towards the ball carrier. Rarely part of our system though. Unlike the Eade days where forwards (albeit smaller across the board) spread, led and were pinpointed.

I'd have to watch again, but I remember thinking at the time that if he had have ran an extra 10m, potentially only 5, then a squaring kick to Bont all alone 20 out was a given.
He didn't even seem to consider it.

 

[VogonProsthetnic]

I'd have to watch again, but I remember thinking at the time that if he had have ran an extra 10m, potentially only 5, then a squaring kick to Bont all alone 20 out was a given.
He didn't even seem to consider it.

Can handle VDM not picking the best option, but what about some of the selfishness of West.

Took a shot from 55 out in the second instead of looking for the hit up and the advantage miss in the third when we had an easy shot 25 m was appalling. Just bad decision making though he wasn’t the only one.

 

[MrChristo]

I'm also going to go against the grain here (fwiw, late 40 yo)...
...I think the changed htb interpretation is way better than it was a month ago.
It may have gone too far, but the opposite (ie. Players being tackled and held for 5-6-7 seconds) was both dangerous to players and imo, borderline unwatchable.

A quick ball-up whistle is great (would be made even better if they then didn't stand and wait for the rucks to show up).

 

[fred cook]

I'm also going to go against the grain here (fwiw, late 40 yo)...
...I think the changed htb interpretation is way better than it was a month ago.
It may have gone too far, but the opposite (ie. Players being tackled and held for 5-6-7 seconds) was both dangerous to players and imo, borderline unwatchable.

A quick ball-up whistle is great (would be made even better if they then didn't stand and wait for the rucks to show up).

I might agree but what sport changes its rule in the mid season of a competition to such extreme I have been going to the fotball for over 40 years and I have been as frustrated as umpiring as the current moment

 

[GetDimmaBack]

We've had a good few weeks, but last night the whole side looked tired. Losing two players mid-game vs Sydney and another against Collingwood has left us exhausted. Did anyone notice Bont's rolling eyes when being interviewed by Abby post game last week? Almost a certainty that last night would play out the way it did.

It's the ebb and flow of football - very hard for any side minus 5-6 of it's prime movers to maintain consistency, especially when most of our best forwards were missing. Structure goes out the window. We were plugging holes last night, and the result surely was not unexpected. Not sure any of that can be blamed on Bevo.

With next week's game against a side coming off a bye, our tired, banged up side will be up against it again. Not expecting too much, are we? I won't be blaming Bevo, either.

Common sense from the AFL (an oxymoron, I know) would have seen us have the bye this week, or even last week.

 

[MaxiBont]

Is this on Jones or our setup?

Liam Jones is holding our defence together the best he can. He did get caught out of position a few times last night, but he had no support back there.

I think it’s a combination of both the structure and just how the game played out.

We’re lucky to have LJ back there.

 

[Zeno The Great]

Gave credit to bevo for great coaching the last month, but last night was terrible.

• buku the sub. Talls never work as sub
• getting smashed, at least bring buku on by 3/4 time change things up, not in junk time in the last
• neale had no opponent all night, blind Freddy could see he was cutting us up, 20 possessions to half time yet no change or pressure

-midfield getting smashed In clearances, why not change it up? If nothing changes, nothing changes.

Some things not on the coach, how many times from their back line did we leave a gaping hole in the middle for then to cut through with ease. Surely that's on the players to know where to stand.

Would love to know the stats of broken tackles, because to my naked eye we are the worst in the league. Horrible night all round.

 

[adogsfan5]

Liam Jones is holding our defence together the best he can. He did get caught out of position a few times last night, but he had no support back there.

I think it’s a combination of both the structure and just how the game played out.

We’re lucky to have LJ back there.

Can’t fault LJ at all. Just wasn’t sure if it was individual positioning or our setup or Brisbane just moved it too fast.

 

[flamethrower]

This was the easiest tip of all time - the Dogs are battered and bruised and losing key players every week. The Lions are at full strength and have had 2 weeks to rest and work on fixing their playing issues. Plus the Lions are a 5 goal better team all things being equal, and that adds up to an ambush and that is exactly what happened.

And it will happen 2 weeks in a row - load up on Fremantle next week too.

 

[Zeno The Great]

Lions and 21 marks inside 50, 16 of those uncontested. Absolutely disgusting.

 

[adogsfan5]

Lions and 21 marks inside 50, 16 of those uncontested. Absolutely disgusting.

Yep stats wise we were absolutely pantsed. The fact we got within 28 in the last is staggering.

 

[Dogs Rule]

If anyone can get hold of it and hopefully SEN release a clip, but Whateley just gave an epic spray to Lobb.

Basically along the lines of smashing his management for shopping him around to other clubs and the supposed raw deal his management say he's getting the Dogs after being 'sold a dream', but also on Lobb for not actually taking his opportunities and playing like a busted since he arrived.

It was brilliant and spot on.

 

[Mutt]

I watched last night from almost directly behind the goals on level 2 - the first time I've done that for a while. Some observations about our game style last night and about some players -and I am loathe to pot individual players, but if we are to challenge again, we have to see things for what they really are:

1. We press up incredibly hard and consistently. We are too slow to sustain it, for Brisbane had more leg speed in their mid-sized players and ran through our press at will. This left the defenders (who also lacked leg speed compared to their opponents) isolated, with their direct opponents already on their goal side or in a position to lead into space. The high and aggressive press is not playing to our strengths as a group.
2. We either didn't tag Neale or chose the wrong player. Why do we let opposition teams' dominant players run free each week?
3. Sanders worries me. He looks completely out of his depth. I don't think he is ready for AFL yet and I worry that his lack of pace means he will struggle with AFL as it is played now- until he gets stronger and more guile. He isn't Libba but needs to study Tom closely and learn to capitalise on his strengths. I hope I'm wrong, but I fear that Sanders might struggle to be the player we are hoping for.
4. Daniel is completely unsuited to AFL as it is played right now. He is too slow, too short, and too light. He is just a liability anywhere on the ground. I hate to say it, but he doesn't fit into our future.
5. We must stop bringing other teams' discards onto our list and expect them to be a better option than drafting and developing a low-draft pick kid. Recruiting and playing Bramble (and others like him this and every year) smacks of a win-now mentality instead of drafting and developing for sustained success.

I'm feeling flat after having witnessed last night...so rant over.

ps. and the yellow maggots can go and eat a bag. Disgusting umpiring performance.

 

[_Mike_]

Is this on Jones or our setup?

Id say setup because Keath started on JD.. Keath did have some problems and went off on a concussion test IIRC.

 

[_Mike_]

Yep stats wise we were absolutely pantsed. The fact we got within 28 in the last is staggering.

Courtesy of Nichols' stat padding to make it look less obvious, but yes the on field display was worthy of a 10+ goal thumping. Structure & tactics were not up to the pressure

 

[_Mike_]

Think the criticism of JOD has been harsh- thought he did okay up forward.

He was one of the better performers last night that looked like they were trying.

 

[adogsfan5]

I don’t think you can be overly disappointed. The writing was on the wall pre game - we knew we were bruised and battered after a big two weeks and coming up against a fresh side, and when guys like Gags, Bramble, VDM and Lobb have stinkers, we’re asking for trouble.

Forget it and move onto next week. I don’t think anyone can deny that we’re actually starting to build something pretty good here. Missing Ed, JJ, Naughts, Darce and Harmes hurts us massively.

 

[MaxiBont]

I watched last night from almost directly behind the goals on level 2 - the first time I've done that for a while. Some observations about our game style last night and about some players -and I am loathe to pot individual players, but if we are to challenge again, we have to see things for what they really are:

1. We press up incredibly hard and consistently. We are too slow to sustain it, for Brisbane had more leg speed in their mid-sized players and ran through our press at will. This left the defenders (who also lacked leg speed compared to their opponents) isolated, with their direct opponents already on their goal side or in a position to lead into space. The high and aggressive press is not playing to our strengths as a group.
2. We either didn't tag Neale or chose the wrong player. Why do we let opposition teams' dominant players run free each week?
3. Sanders worries me. He looks completely out of his depth. I don't think he is ready for AFL yet and I worry that his lack of pace means he will struggle with AFL as it is played now- until he gets stronger and more guile. He isn't Libba but needs to study Tom closely and earn to capitalise on his strengths. I hope I'm wrong, but I fear that Sanders might struggle to be the player we are hoping for.
4. Daniel is completely unsuited to AFL as it is played right now. He is too slow, too short, and too light. He is just a liability anywhere on the ground. I hate to say it, but he doesn't fit into our future.
5. We must stop bringing other teams' discards onto our list and expect them to be a better option than drafting and developing a low-draft pick kid. Recruiting and playing Bramble (and others like him this and every year) smacks of a win-now mentality instead of drafting and developing for sustained success.

I'm feeling flat after having witnessed last night...so rant over.

ps. and the yellow maggots can go and eat a bag. Disgusting umpiring performance.

Great post and completely agree with most of what you’re saying.

I think it’s a bit rough on Sanders to say he is completely out of his depth. He has played some good games in the 1s this year and looked good against Collingwood last week. He had a rough game last night but so did most of the team.

I agree he is not quick in terms of leg speed, but he has an ability to move through tight spaces and get the ball out of there quickly.

He’s an 18 year old in his first season, who for the first time isn’t dominating at the level. It’ll take time for him to adjust and put on strength, but I really do think we have a good player in him.

 

[jdz101]

Rory lobb

7

Rory Lobb

Age

31

Ht

207cm

Wt

106kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.0

3star

K

6.7

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

0.9

4star

D

11.3

3star

K

8.0

3star

HB

3.3

2star

M

4.6

4star

T

1.4

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

7.0

2star

K

4.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

2.8

5star

G

0.6

3star

should never wear bulldogs colours again.

 

[Wizard17]

We were made to look seriously slow on the inside. We really need some pace in there otherwise quicker teams just walk right out of there with next to no pressure on them.

Our balance of inside mids looks totally wrong