R11 Eagles v Centrals

[southernbulldog]

So glad to be proven WRONG the boys were fantastic today .Thats the sort of footy that will win more games than we lose .
Felt for the young female goal umpire in her first game today the constant bashing she copped in the last qtr from some Eagles supporters behind the goals was unnecessary .so she made an error perhaps they should look at how many errors their players made instead.

[Hopeful Jelly]

Seb play? Heard he has battling a large inflammation.

Facing a lengthy Suspension I heard. Reported for A behind the ball incident caught on video.

His pulled muscle isn't quite right yet. A bit stiff to miss out this week but should be good to get up next week.

[bulldogproud]

Can the dogs still make the 5?

Yes







but unfortunately it will be the bottom 5.

[Hopeful Jelly]

Well played Bulldogs - they didn't give us any time and space with the ball, particularly when we were going forward, yet had plenty of space themselves when they had the ball.

I'm not sure if we had the game plan wrong initially, but with Jade Sheedy working from home, maybe we didn't have the ability to change it up during the game. Definitely Centrals were able to handle everything we threw at them.

The way we played was out of character - even just a couple of moments in the last 10-15 minutes stood out for me:

1. The Bulldogs had a mark at CHB - there were 5 Eagles players all standing within about 15 metres of each other near the centre circle without an opponent nearby. Centrals kick it sideways to a loose player on the half back flank. All 5 of them run towards that player but they are too far away and Centrals work it down the wing into their forward line.

2. A short time later, Lachlan Hoile is contesting the ball with 3 Centrals players in the scoreboard pocket - rarely do we ever get outnumbered in defence or are so loose on opponents.

Also thought our team selection wasn't right with 3 talls in defence, especially with the mix of the other defenders in the team today. I feel it's only against Glenelg and maybe the AFL teams (depending on who they have) when you need 3 tall defenders. With Ballenden looking like missing the rest of the season, that maybe forces us to change it up with Clay Cameron having to go forward.

[wedgetail]

Tackle count CD - 83 E - 53 showed the different level of intent from both sides today. Eags got what they deserved, outplayed in all facets. Putrid display and very un-Eagles like. West a big chance next week if we play like that again!
The issue for CD will be to play like that next week and show it wasn't just a 'flash in the pan'.

[southernbulldog]

Spot on Wedgetail that will be the question next week against another good side in North .
Hopefully we build on today and get the belief to keep playing like that .

[Wedgie]

Good to see the Dogs get up for their loyal fans especially Gazza.

[another grub]

Putrid spot on

[another grub]

Disgraceful

[Aerie]

Missed watching the game today, as I did the 2004 Grand Final. Just like in 2004, I don’t think I’ll watch the replay to see what went wrong! I’ve not seen much of Central, but did see them on TV last week vs Port and they had a fair crack. Not surprised they’d win if the opposition was off their game and it sounds like the Eagles were that today. Biggest disappointment is reading a few posts back that Ballenden is seriously injured. That’s a huge loss if true. I’d expect the Eagles to bounce back. They’ve been up and about since the poor performance vs West early in the season and this might be the kick up the backside needed to get them going again.

[The Apostle]

Two certainties tonight:
2. Burn outs down the Phillip Hwy….

It wasn't rubber that was burning last night.

[RB]

Crowd estimates?

1,412.

[gazzamagoo]

We're gradually improving each week, the past 4 games are a testament to that.
We have to make sure that we don't put in a big shitter this weekend,
I still believe that we can go on at the second half of this season & win a few more matches,
maybe not end up with 6 or 7 but if we win only another 2 or 3 AND show real grit & character in the other games, then I reckon that's winning.

[northerner]

We're gradually improving each week, the past 4 games are a testament to that.
We have to make sure that we don't put in a big shitter this weekend,
I still believe that we can go on at the second half of this season & win a few more matches,
maybe not end up with 6 or 7 but if we win only another 2 or 3 AND show real grit & character in the other games, then I reckon that's winning.

Yeh, the boys have been heading towards this performance over the weeks.
Despite criticism aimed at Thomas and his game plan, it was clear that it was working, but the players were not able to maintain their effort over 4 quarters. In most of the matches this season, the lads have shown one or two quarters of solid impressive football, but have then fallen back once their opponents gained momentum. This was the first game with FOUR quarters of solid football.
Persistence and self-belief helped, but so has the return of Hosko and Billy Mac who are definitely important parts of our set-up.

Another pleasing aspect is the way the lads are showing some fight and spirit. When Commitigianni decided to taunt Carpenter after he missed a bouncing shot at goal, he had three Doggie players very quickly remonstrate with him. Often this support has been missing in past seasons.

Hopefully the W gives them some further belief; the lads now have to turn up again this week.