FIRST TEAM TO BEAT THE DOGS - WHO WILL IT BE?

[dogs01]

With the dogs playing so well and still not firing on all cylinders who will be the first team to beat them. Or could they go undefeated.

[Squawk]

Dogs01 - you missed a team. Central. It might be that Central just have an off day eventually and their opponent capitalises.

A question for you - who has been Centrals toughest opponent so far in 2007?

[GWW]

I dont care if the Dogs only lose one game for the season as long as its the Grand Final

[Thiele]

I don't know who will beat centrals. It will not be next week west will lose

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Dogs will go the season undefeated, i hope (would it be a first?)
only 15 more wins from a premiership.

North probably our hardest opponent, the only team that has really looked like possibly running away with the game.

[dogs01]

Dogs01 - you missed a team. Central. It might be that Central just have an off day eventually and their opponent capitalises.

A question for you - who has been Centrals toughest opponent so far in 2007?

Good question. Every team i think we have played have pushed us for a while but when we seem to switch on it becomes daylight. Port were our closest result and applied alot of pressure. North today got 18 points in front in the 3rd qtr. Eagles kicked 10 goals before they kicked a behind (most games they woul'dve been well in front.). So i think your first paragraph might be correct, it might take the dogs an off day to lose and the opposition playing 4 quarters.

And like they say the more you win, the closer you are to defeat. There are always losses you have to have (pardon the cliches)

[Dog_ger]

6 Zip.

This will hurt us come October.

Big Heads lose Finals.....

[Jimmy]

Sturt

[therisingblues]

Damn good question. I voted Eagles, but at this stage it looks as though they could go through undefeated. I got a feeling that the team that makes their plans come unstuck will be a rank outsider causing an upset. A team like West, or South, for example, go in hard all day and the Dogs don't prepare as they should for it.

[Jimmy]

Damn good question. I voted Eagles, but at this stage it looks as though they could go through undefeated. I got a feeling that the team that makes their plans come unstuck will be a rank outsider causing an upset. A team like West, or South, for example, go in hard all day and the Dogs don't prepare as they should for it.

see above post mate

im putting it out there but what the hell

[Sojourner]

Considering what Central have achieved in recent years with their string of premierships, going undefeated all year would be a good next step for the doggies!

Central can do that, the key is staying focused all year which they seem good at. There is an old saying that you play as good as your opposition, so its on that basis that I think if anyone is going to beat them it could be a better bet to go for one of the sides bar Glenelg that are not in the five!

[Jimmy]

Damn good question. I voted Eagles, but at this stage it looks as though they could go through undefeated. I got a feeling that the team that makes their plans come unstuck will be a rank outsider causing an upset. A team like West, or South, for example, go in hard all day and the Dogs don't prepare as they should for it.

seriously, it seems that it could be only an upset to beat them altho north had a chance today. maybe like 76 when south beat sturt

[Dog_ger]

Sturt is a good bet..!

The game after West at Berri.

Unley.

The Ghost of Jack walks there.

The Travel just may get to the un-defeated...

[mal]

2 more wins will get Centrals into the 5

[twosheds]

I think Roy would be cringing if he read some of this stuff, what we need to concentrate on is bringing our "A" game each week which we havent done yet, we are yet to play four consistent quarters. We need to ensure our spot in the finals then take it from there, 2002 is still fresh in my memory, would hate to see that again!

[SnappyTom]

Dogs will go the season undefeated, i hope (would it be a first?)
only 15 more wins from a premiership.

North probably our hardest opponent, the only team that has really looked like possibly running away with the game.

I think it's been done once before - might have been Glenelg in the 30's, or something loooooong ago...

[Aerie]

A few Central fans setting themselves up for a big fall later in the year...

From the small part I watched on tv yesterday, North were easily as good in every aspect except delivering into the forward line. Dogs flood back and North bombed it in.

How to beat Central?

For one, teams need to treat Callinan as they have come to treat Jeremy Clayton. Tag him with a very good player. Callinan does the simple things very well, being front and centre and his finishing is first class. Need a disciplined player to step on his toes every step of the way. I'd be using Colville if the Eagles were playing them.

Two, delivery into forward line needs to either be quick, or settle and wait for the right option. Schell and Grima mop up back there and they flood back as AFL teams do. Need to pick on there lesser back line players if possible and capitalise on opportunities.

Three, and probably the most important, is to match it with them for longer and for every minute. This requires concentration, fitness and hard work. 9 times out of 10 Central will crack open the opposition because they are the best at doing this. Teams need to be ready and willing for that 1 time they have the chance. Generally you need 7 or 8 quality midfielders you can run through there all game, because that is what Central have.

I still don't think the foot skills of Central are any where near as good as they were in 2005 and before. Under pressure there are a number of their players who make mistakes. Yes, Central are a very good side, but there are a number of teams who can and will beat them this year. It is still only May...

[dogs01]

A few Central fans setting themselves up for a big fall later in the year...

From the small part I watched on tv yesterday, North were easily as good in every aspect except delivering into the forward line. Dogs flood back and North bombed it in.

How to beat Central?

For one, teams need to treat Callinan as they have come to treat Jeremy Clayton. Tag him with a very good player. Callinan does the simple things very well, being front and centre and his finishing is first class. Need a disciplined player to step on his toes every step of the way. I'd be using Colville if the Eagles were playing them.

Two, delivery into forward line needs to either be quick, or settle and wait for the right option. Schell and Grima mop up back there and they flood back as AFL teams do. Need to pick on there lesser back line players if possible and capitalise on opportunities.

Three, and probably the most important, is to match it with them for longer and for every minute. This requires concentration, fitness and hard work. 9 times out of 10 Central will crack open the opposition because they are the best at doing this. Teams need to be ready and willing for that 1 time they have the chance. Generally you need 7 or 8 quality midfielders you can run through there all game, because that is what Central have.

I still don't think the foot skills of Central are any where near as good as they were in 2005 and before. Under pressure there are a number of their players who make mistakes. Yes, Central are a very good side, but there are a number of teams who can and will beat them this year. It is still only May...

If beating centrals was this easy they wouldnt be 8 zip would they. Yes they have had sloppy disposal in their games and this was the main reason north were in the game yesterday. The problem for other teams is that i dont think they can sustain pressure long enough.

What small part of the game did you watch yesterday, i bet it wasnt the last half.Once the dogs switch on their sloppy disposal goes out the door and pressure or no pressure they would be the most skillfull in the league.

And i am not setting myself up for a fall, i have been watching footy long enough to know anything can happen.

[BPBRB]

With all due respect to the other sides - It will be Centrals then daylight then the Eagles and no suprise if they are in the GF again. Aerie I respct your views but you re wrong about Centrals - I think they are a far better side than any other in the comp. The frightening this is they still have a number of quality proven players to come back in not to mention they have one key fwd in Cowan out for the year.

Yesterday North played well up to the point of Motlop going off, we didn't maximise possesion enough to put on scoreboard pressure when we had control but you have to give Centrals credit - they may have been slightly off the boil (and have been in other games this year by al accounts) but they do enough to not lose control of a game and a every other team knows when they put their foot down and click they devastate the opposition in a very clinical short burst manner like they did in the 3rd quarter yesterday. From that point the the game was played at their pace and on their terms and there was nothing North could do about it.

Personally speaking North need to seriously look at their deficiencies now (and they have been exposed again!), and prepare for 2008 and beyond. We may as well not make the finals as it will be a complete waste of time having to play either Centrals or the Eagles. Both those clubs mentally and physcially intimidate North. I'm not sure how you repair mental fraility though?

[dogs01]

With some players playing ressies and some injuries, a notable player who did not play yesterday still to come back CHRIS GOWANS.