What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 3

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The thing that bothers me is that our style is labour intensive and as soon as effort/desire drops off we get jumped as our defenders lack the ability to defend one on one.

Hawks practice match prime example.

It can also be soul destroying scrubbing around our forward half for ten minutes only to see a fatigue error cause a turnover goal at the other end.

I am hopeful that our group is mature enough to mitigate these issues now.
 
Marra in Yokayi footy tonight. Geez he needs to drop the word obviously from his vocabulary hahahah. He’s a good speaker though. Sounds very mature
 
Really loving the Danny Boyd podcast. Both more relaxed than most footy podcasts but also way more inside info. I feel like I have gotten more insight into the club and players from two episodes than most other sources combined. Check it out.
 

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We conceded multiple goals from turnovers inside our F50 where we (Naughton for example) kicked to space in a dangerous spot to an outnumbered forward that resulted in a rebound 50 goal for the Pies. Can see why they coach against it.
That first Naughton inside 50 which resulted in Collingwoods first goal was a shocker. He took the mark about 60 out and tried to exploit the man on the mark rule and went dashing past him. Biggest issue was that Bruce and Wally had turned their backs and were sprinting towards the goal square and had no clue that Naughty had played on.

The defenders had seen it though and were able to converge on Baz and create the three on one which led to them sweeping down the field and getting out the back for an easy goal.

Bit of continuity should fix this. The boys will get used to each other and turn that kind of situation into a scoring opportunity.
 
...

Until Bruce and Naughton understand that their job doesn't stop with them being outmarked/worked, then the games elite marking defenders are going to be a huge issue when it comes to our ability to win, let alone put sides away for the rest of the season and beyond. Naughton in particular doesn't seem to have an understanding or an ability to adjust to the fact that a player like Darcy Moore invariably uses his marking ability as a springboard to attack immediately and drive the ball long out of his defensive zone. We saw this last week time and again as Moore ran away from a badly trailing and ineffective Naughton. Until he makes this adjustment and understands that he isn't going to mark everything and that games best KPB's are also some of its most attacking players. Then he will continue to get chewed up and spat out by them as he was on Friday night.

...
Also as far as defensive pressure, defensive work rate and ground level work goes Id say Naughty and Bruce would be up there when compared to most players in their roles across the league. The pressure Naughty provides at ground level is next level for a key forward. He provides repeat effort after repeat effort, don’t think we can criticise them in that regard... When we ease JUH into Bruce’s spot over the next couple of years I think we’ll have close to the best key forward duo in the comp when it comes to the defensive side. Will be a serious edge we will have on the competition.

BF is great for a diversity of views. So who's right here?
 
The problem is that we play a high press and lock the ball in our forward half so the opposition floods our forward line so there's no space to lead.

Our forwards then try to lead into little holes in the pockets which, if the kick goes to them, is often chopped off or if successful results in a low percentage shot.

Otherwise the kick goes to the hot spot where the best opposition interceptors are waiting. Our key forwards are then out of position from leading so can't get to the contest or have their run blocked by other defenders.

If we just set up to kick the ball on the head of Moore/McGovern/whoever, have someone like Bruce or Wally engage their body do they can't jump then have our small forwards block out a path for Naughton to jump at the pack, I think we'd have more success.

Honestly it's staggering that, with the number of times per game we have a kick from the flank into a crowded forward 50, we don't seem to have any set plays for that scenario. Our forwards just seem to lead like headless chooks and the player with the ball kicks it to the disadvantage of our forwards.

The new man on the mark rules make it harder to defend rebound 50s so I think teams will start planning around conceding clearances and setting up to rebound to score. If we can't be more efficient going forward it could be another wasted year.
 
BF is great for a diversity of views. So who's right here?
Naughton's pressure when he's still in the play or the ball is in his vicinity is top notch. His positioning when he's not going to be delivered the ball isn't great. His awareness of where the ball could be going to then position himself accordingly isn't very good either (lack of forward nous).
Both are potentially right.
 
BF is great for a diversity of views. So who's right here?

Of course. I am.

I actually think it can be both things. He is fine when the ball is at his feet or he can track his opponent. I just think that its the initial movement once he has been outmarked that is the issue. He just seems to be bit slow to react when this happens and it was quite evident a number of times last week when Moore was seen to be streaking away with Naughton trailing in his wake.
 
Of course. I am.

I actually think it can be both things. He is fine when the ball is at his feet or he can track his opponent. I just think that its the initial movement once he has been outmarked that is the issue. He just seems to be bit slow to react when this happens and it was quite evident a number of times last week when Moore was seen to be streaking away with Naughton trailing in his wake.

Moore is the only KPD who runs like that. No other defender is anywhere near capable of that. All the other top liners (Andrews, May, McGovern etc) can't even do that.
 

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Mick Malthouse: Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith one of AFL’s best midfielders
Coaching great Mick Malthouse has lauded the rapid rise of Bailey Smith, who he says is close to being the AFL’s premier on-baller.

Mick Malthouse

March 27, 2021 - 6:00AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

5 comments

Mick Malthouse says [PLAYERCARD]Bailey Smith[/PLAYERCARD] is fast becoming one of the AFL’s premier midfielders.

Mick Malthouse says Bailey Smith is fast becoming one of the AFL’s premier midfielders.

There were danger signs for the Western Bulldogs in their Round 1 win against Collingwood.

The Bulldogs had 149 more disposals than the Magpies, but only won by 16 points.

With 465 possessions they went inside-50 60 times for a relatively poor return of 10.9 (69).

The Dogs did keep Collingwood to 316 disposals and 41 inside-50s, but the Pies’ 7.11 (53) was only one scoring shot less.

That is a profile fraught with peril.

It means the Doggies need a lot of possession to get the ball into a dysfunctional forward line to win a game.

One could argue it’s a deficiency.

The Magpies are not mugs, they are a good football team, so it was a decent scalp to snare first-up.

But I wonder about the Doggies’ modus operandi of winning games on mass possession.

On Sunday, they take on West Coast — who had 390 disposals against an emerging Gold Coast.

The Eagles went inside-50 52 times and scored just 23 times.

Again, it’s a lot of possessions for a low score.

The AFL is looking for bigger scores because this is supposed to please the crowds.

The methodology and theory behind the stand-on-the-mark rule makes for a more open game. But sides are getting caught between the two 50m arcs and are continuing with the tactic of not wanting to give the ball up to the opposition, so any possession, if it hits a target, seems to be a good possession regardless of its outcome.
Western Bulldogs need to get more from their forwards, such as [PLAYERCARD]Josh Bruce[/PLAYERCARD].

Western Bulldogs need to get more from their forwards, such as Josh Bruce.

Eagle Josh Kennedy kicked two goals from eight kicks and five marks.

Teammate Jack Darling had 14 disposals (four marks) and kicked 2.1.

Liam Ryan kicked a goal from four marks.

And the continued emergence of Oscar Allen is huge for West Coast.

His four goals and nine marks playing at centre half-back and fullback as well as forward, has him rapidly becoming one of the Eagles’ most dangerous players.

This is where I could come undone with my tip of a Bulldogs win.

The Dogs’ backline — outside Alex Keath who had a good night against the Pies with 18 disposals, and Caleb Daniel who is a most consistent defender — lacks in height and defendability.

Keath is 197cm and 96kg.

The next tall, Ryan Gardner, is also 197cm and 96kg, and rarely if ever takes a contested mark.

Gardner loses contact with his opponent and sight of the ball too regularly to be competitive against the best forwards.

He also needs to work on his disposal skills.
[PLAYERCARD]Stefan Martin[/PLAYERCARD] and Tim English negated [PLAYERCARD]Brodie Grundy[/PLAYERCARD] last week.

Stefan Martin and Tim English negated Brodie Grundy last week.

Bailey Williams did a tremendous job on Mason Cox.

But at only 187cm can the Dogs get away with playing him on that type of player each week?

Easton Wood needs more time to recover from injury and Zaine Cordy seems to be out of favour, plus Taylor Duryea is less than consistently reliable, so maybe it’s time for Josh Schache to become a key position back.

Many failed forwards have become fantastic backline players, because they can read the play behind the ball. I can’t remember too many great backs who started in the backline. So it might be a punt worth taking for the Bulldogs.

With an under-pressure backline the Dogs’ midfield must be on top, and with a defensive mindset to assist the backline.

That will be the Dogs’ biggest hurdle in winning on Sunday.
[PLAYERCARD]Oscar Allen[/PLAYERCARD] will be a big threat for West Coast.

Oscar Allen will be a big threat for West Coast.

Their midfield did extremely well last week. Don’t underestimate the job that Stefan Martin and Tim English did on Brodie Grundy.

They will need to work just as hard on Nic Naitanui.

Grundy dominated the taps (Collingwood 46 hit-outs to the Bulldogs’ 19) but under such physical pressure from Martin, the clearances were well won by the Dogs 38-32.

Gold Coast had more hit outs against the Eagles and squared-off the clearances at 30 each, so for the Dogs to win they need to not only nullify Naitanui, but Bailey Smith needs to have another cracker.

Smith is only 20, but already he is the full package.

Tough, runs hard, kicks goals, and acknowledges the defensive side of his game.

It won’t take long for Smith to become one of, if not the best, midfielder in the competition.

Especially as he is well aided by Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Josh Dunkley and Adam Treloar (who will be far better this week after looking like a bundle of nerves against his old club).

They are all high possession getters, but the Dogs run so deep through the middle that it can sometimes lead to an exuberant overuse of the footy.

Today the Dogs have the tough task of keeping the ball off the likes of Tim Kelly, Dom Sheed and Andrew Gaff, while hitting targets in their own forward line past the hands of Jeremy McGovern, Brad Sheppard, and Tom Barrass.

Players like Aaron Naughton, Laitham Vandermeer and Josh Bruce have to stand up. It is disappointing that a senior player like Bruce isn’t giving a young player like Naughton the kind of assistance he needs.

Tim English on the forward line is a real positive.

He is mobile and can take a good mark, but he just needs to clean up his accuracy.
 
Mick Malthouse: Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith one of AFL’s best midfielders
Coaching great Mick Malthouse has lauded the rapid rise of Bailey Smith, who he says is close to being the AFL’s premier on-baller.

Mick Malthouse

March 27, 2021 - 6:00AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

5 comments

Mick Malthouse says Bailey Smith is fast becoming one of the AFL’s premier midfielders.

Mick Malthouse says Bailey Smith is fast becoming one of the AFL’s premier midfielders.

There were danger signs for the Western Bulldogs in their Round 1 win against Collingwood.

The Bulldogs had 149 more disposals than the Magpies, but only won by 16 points.

With 465 possessions they went inside-50 60 times for a relatively poor return of 10.9 (69).

The Dogs did keep Collingwood to 316 disposals and 41 inside-50s, but the Pies’ 7.11 (53) was only one scoring shot less.

That is a profile fraught with peril.

It means the Doggies need a lot of possession to get the ball into a dysfunctional forward line to win a game.

One could argue it’s a deficiency.

The Magpies are not mugs, they are a good football team, so it was a decent scalp to snare first-up.

But I wonder about the Doggies’ modus operandi of winning games on mass possession.

On Sunday, they take on West Coast — who had 390 disposals against an emerging Gold Coast.

The Eagles went inside-50 52 times and scored just 23 times.

Again, it’s a lot of possessions for a low score.

The AFL is looking for bigger scores because this is supposed to please the crowds.

The methodology and theory behind the stand-on-the-mark rule makes for a more open game. But sides are getting caught between the two 50m arcs and are continuing with the tactic of not wanting to give the ball up to the opposition, so any possession, if it hits a target, seems to be a good possession regardless of its outcome.
Western Bulldogs need to get more from their forwards, such as Josh Bruce.

Western Bulldogs need to get more from their forwards, such as Josh Bruce.

Eagle Josh Kennedy kicked two goals from eight kicks and five marks.

Teammate Jack Darling had 14 disposals (four marks) and kicked 2.1.

Liam Ryan kicked a goal from four marks.

And the continued emergence of Oscar Allen is huge for West Coast.

His four goals and nine marks playing at centre half-back and fullback as well as forward, has him rapidly becoming one of the Eagles’ most dangerous players.

This is where I could come undone with my tip of a Bulldogs win.

The Dogs’ backline — outside Alex Keath who had a good night against the Pies with 18 disposals, and Caleb Daniel who is a most consistent defender — lacks in height and defendability.

Keath is 197cm and 96kg.

The next tall, Ryan Gardner, is also 197cm and 96kg, and rarely if ever takes a contested mark.

Gardner loses contact with his opponent and sight of the ball too regularly to be competitive against the best forwards.

He also needs to work on his disposal skills.
Stefan Martin and Tim English negated Brodie Grundy last week.

Stefan Martin and Tim English negated Brodie Grundy last week.

Bailey Williams did a tremendous job on Mason Cox.

But at only 187cm can the Dogs get away with playing him on that type of player each week?

Easton Wood needs more time to recover from injury and Zaine Cordy seems to be out of favour, plus Taylor Duryea is less than consistently reliable, so maybe it’s time for Josh Schache to become a key position back.

Many failed forwards have become fantastic backline players, because they can read the play behind the ball. I can’t remember too many great backs who started in the backline. So it might be a punt worth taking for the Bulldogs.

With an under-pressure backline the Dogs’ midfield must be on top, and with a defensive mindset to assist the backline.

That will be the Dogs’ biggest hurdle in winning on Sunday.
Oscar Allen will be a big threat for West Coast.

Oscar Allen will be a big threat for West Coast.

Their midfield did extremely well last week. Don’t underestimate the job that Stefan Martin and Tim English did on Brodie Grundy.

They will need to work just as hard on Nic Naitanui.

Grundy dominated the taps (Collingwood 46 hit-outs to the Bulldogs’ 19) but under such physical pressure from Martin, the clearances were well won by the Dogs 38-32.

Gold Coast had more hit outs against the Eagles and squared-off the clearances at 30 each, so for the Dogs to win they need to not only nullify Naitanui, but Bailey Smith needs to have another cracker.

Smith is only 20, but already he is the full package.

Tough, runs hard, kicks goals, and acknowledges the defensive side of his game.

It won’t take long for Smith to become one of, if not the best, midfielder in the competition.

Especially as he is well aided by Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore, Josh Dunkley and Adam Treloar (who will be far better this week after looking like a bundle of nerves against his old club).

They are all high possession getters, but the Dogs run so deep through the middle that it can sometimes lead to an exuberant overuse of the footy.

Today the Dogs have the tough task of keeping the ball off the likes of Tim Kelly, Dom Sheed and Andrew Gaff, while hitting targets in their own forward line past the hands of Jeremy McGovern, Brad Sheppard, and Tom Barrass.

Players like Aaron Naughton, Laitham Vandermeer and Josh Bruce have to stand up. It is disappointing that a senior player like Bruce isn’t giving a young player like Naughton the kind of assistance he needs.

Tim English on the forward line is a real positive.

He is mobile and can take a good mark, but he just needs to clean up his accuracy.
This is actually pretty spot on. Mick hasn’t missed much here and summised our weaknesses pretty well in comparison to many of his media colleagues.
 
Not a current player but only recently retired and worth mentioning as a flag hero..

Sportsbet put up a post about a guy who won just under $200k from a $50, 7-leg multi.

Even happier retirement Tory Dickson!!
 
Of course. I am.

I actually think it can be both things. He is fine when the ball is at his feet or he can track his opponent. I just think that its the initial movement once he has been outmarked that is the issue. He just seems to be bit slow to react when this happens and it was quite evident a number of times last week when Moore was seen to be streaking away with Naughton trailing in his wake.
To be fair Moore isn't slow for a big guy and he didn't pause most times. Took the mark at pace and kept going, pretty hard to chop that movement off. Sometimes if there isn't a clear target we should be dumping it into a clear piece of grass and let a contest evolve rather than coughing up an intercept mark
 
We’ve all been saying the same thing

.... omg not kidding, I just walked past Ash Hansen walking his dog in Yarraville while typing this. That’s weird.

But we can’t take the next step without a functioning forward line. Now everyone in the media is saying the same thing. How long is it going to take for the club to listen?

LOL if only Bevo read BF
 
If this is the case, then our coaches will have been aware of it for years now. They have all of the vision and data. High possession and inefficient i50 conversion have been the norm for 3-4 years now.

Why they are not able to train that for major improvement over the course of a couple years doesn’t make sense. So frustrating. Bevo mentions chemistry and personal but I’m in the camp that says a good kick inside 50 to a good forward gets marked most of the time.

But then hey goal kicking is a whole different story.
It’s no that they are not coaching for it.

Oppo clubs know our strengths and try to counter it.The pies basically gave up on trying to stop us at the source and put numbers behind the ball which leads to a congested forward line
 
Its all well and good to have a lopsided inside 50 count, but a side with a competent forward line, one that doesn't rely on 7 foot potato like Mason Cox will quickly and ruthlessly punish our midfields profligacy with said Indies 50's.

Until Bruce and Naughton understand that their job doesn't stop with them being outmarked/worked, then the games elite marking defenders are going to be a huge issue when it comes to our ability to win, let alone put sides away for the rest of the season and beyond. Naughton in particular doesn't seem to have an understanding or an ability to adjust to the fact that a player like Darcy Moore invariably uses his marking ability as a springboard to attack immediately and drive the ball long out of his defensive zone. We saw this last week time and again as Moore ran away from a badly trailing and ineffective Naughton. Until he makes this adjustment and understands that he isn't going to mark everything and that games best KPB's are also some of its most attacking players. Then he will continue to get chewed up and spat out by them as he was on Friday night.
So long as we continue to win Im happy
 
Really loving the Danny Boyd podcast. Both more relaxed than most footy podcasts but also way more inside info. I feel like I have gotten more insight into the club and players from two episodes than most other sources combined. Check it out.
Thanks SD I am going to look him up there is only so much Footyology I can take
 
AFL Round 2: Marcus Bontempelli leads Western Bulldogs to victory over West Coast in classic
Take a bow, Bont. The Bulldogs skipper was supreme all day and delivered the final blow in an absolute classic against the Eagles.

Kane Pitman

2 min read
March 28, 2021 - 6:50PM
NCA NewsWire
0 comments
[PLAYERCARD]Marcus Bontempelli[/PLAYERCARD] celebrates a big goal. Picture: Michael Klein

Marcus Bontempelli celebrates a big goal. Picture: Michael Klein

In an early contender for game of the year, Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli capped a best-on-ground performance with a game-winning set shot from 35m out to seal a famous victory.
It was a case of accumulation versus execution with the ball-hog Bulldogs finally putting a winning score on the board against a relentless Eagles outfit.
The Dogs controlled the disposal count 233-163 in the first half and Bontempelli was the chief destroyer, but despite the skipper’s extraordinary start the home team led by just one point as the Eagles held firm under repeat fire.
With superstar ruckman Nic Naitanui gaining control, three consecutive third-quarter goals in time on helped turn ascendancy the Eagles way with a classy Liam Ryan finish from 40m on the run giving his side a 12-point lead with a quarter to play.
In a rollercoaster final quarter the lead changed several times before Bontempelli sent the home crowd into a frenzy to put a bow on a 30-disposal, three-goal afternoon.
[PLAYERCARD]Marcus Bontempelli[/PLAYERCARD] was unstoppable when it mattered most. Picture: Michael Klein

Marcus Bontempelli was unstoppable when it mattered most. Picture: Michael Klein
FLYIN’ RYAN TAKES OFF
The mercurial Liam Ryan was up to his old tricks in the first term.
Jamie Cripps found the small forward streaming inside 50 with the goal face open. Marking the ball 15m out on a difficult angle with Bulldogs defender Ryan Gardner in hot pursuit, Ryan immediately played on, stepping left and then right, sending Gardner to the deck before strolling in for the simplest of goals.

In addition to the highlight reel goal, Ryan attempted three high-flying screamers that would have surely won him a car for Mark of the Year. You simply can’t take your eyes off flyin’ Ryan.
[PLAYERCARD]Liam Ryan[/PLAYERCARD] couldn’t hang on to this spectacular attempt. Picture: Michael Klein

Liam Ryan couldn’t hang on to this spectacular attempt. Picture: Michael Klein
LIPINSKI’S COSTLY BLUNDER

With the Dogs dominating play for the first half of the second quarter, Patrick Lipinski committed a classic coach-killer. When Jamaine Jones was awarded a free kick on centre wing for contact in a marking contest, Lipinski picked up the ball and subsequently dropped it, triggering an immediate 50m penalty that Jones would convert to put the Eagles in front by a point.
Lipinski came straight to the bench before being handed the phone. We can safely assume the message from frustrated coach Luke Beveridge was a stern one.
[PLAYERCARD]Adam Treloar[/PLAYERCARD] wins the ball under pressure from [PLAYERCARD]Tom Cole[/PLAYERCARD]. Picture: Michael Klein

Adam Treloar wins the ball under pressure from Tom Cole. Picture: Michael Klein
650 FOR KENNEDY
West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy’s 650th AFL goal came in trademark fashion. When Nic Naitanui pumped the ball long inside 50 at the 21-minute mark of the second quarter, Kennedy came flying to the front of the pack to pluck the ball uncontested before calmly slotting his third major for the half.
Kennedy would finish the afternoon with four goals and eight score involvements.
SCOREBOARD
BULLDOGS 3.3, 6.1,0 9.1,2 14.16 (100)
EAGLES 3.2, 6.3, 12.6, 14.9 (93)

PITMAN’S BEST
BULLDOGS: Bontempelli, Macrae, Smith, Naughton, Daniel
EAGLES: Naitanui, Kelly, Sheed, Hurn, Duggan
GOALS
BULLDOGS: Bruce 3, Bontempelli 3, Naughton 3, Daniel, English, Smith, Dunkley, Vandermeer
EAGLES: Kennedy 4, Darling 3, Jones 3, Allen 2, Ryan 2
INJURIES
Eagles: Naitanui (eye), Allen (shoulder)

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
PITMAN’S VOTES
3. Marcus Bontempelli (WBD)
2. Jack Macrae (WBD)
1. Nic Naitanui (WCE)
 
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