1.A week is a long time in footy, a fortnight an eternity
Just two weeks ago Collingwood were languishing down the bottom of the ladder with a 2-5 record. A fortnight later they shape as one of the in-form teams in the competition, entering this week’s clash fresh from a commanding win against Premiership fancy Geelong and filled to the brim with confidence. Experts are pointing towards their manic pressure, and midfield improvement as central to their rise, but this week they come up against a team that has built the strongest of reputations as brutal in-close, and dour defensively. Game on.
Just two weeks ago Collingwood were languishing down the bottom of the ladder with a 2-5 record. A fortnight later they shape as one of the in-form teams in the competition, entering this week’s clash fresh from a commanding win against Premiership fancy Geelong and filled to the brim with confidence. Experts are pointing towards their manic pressure, and midfield improvement as central to their rise, but this week they come up against a team that has built the strongest of reputations as brutal in-close, and dour defensively. Game on.
2. While we’re talking midfields...
Bontempelli v Pendelbury, Liberatore v Treloar, Macrae v Sidebottom, Dahlhaus v Adams — the mouth-watering match ups go on. The proud Bulldogs midfield lowered their colours last week, and will be looking to make amends. It’s a frequently used saying in footy, but this week it feels as though it rings the truest — win the midfield battle, win the game.
Bontempelli v Pendelbury, Liberatore v Treloar, Macrae v Sidebottom, Dahlhaus v Adams — the mouth-watering match ups go on. The proud Bulldogs midfield lowered their colours last week, and will be looking to make amends. It’s a frequently used saying in footy, but this week it feels as though it rings the truest — win the midfield battle, win the game.
3. Fast start needed
Digest this stat: The Pies have kicked a combined 11.14 to 0.3 in first quarters in the past fortnight. The Bulldogs conceded the first three goals of the game to GWS, and found it hard to peg back. To say the start is important for the Bulldogs is an understatement. Jack Redpath’s return will aid this cause; get clean ball into him Stringer or Dickson and something good will happen.
Digest this stat: The Pies have kicked a combined 11.14 to 0.3 in first quarters in the past fortnight. The Bulldogs conceded the first three goals of the game to GWS, and found it hard to peg back. To say the start is important for the Bulldogs is an understatement. Jack Redpath’s return will aid this cause; get clean ball into him Stringer or Dickson and something good will happen.
4.Our defence is starting to look familiar
Early in the season the Bulldogs were lauded for the attacking drive from their defenders. Then they went stingy. Partly because they needed to, but also because of natural evolution. Include Suckling, Boyd and Adams to the back six, and the balance between attack and defence looks better poised. Watch this space.
Early in the season the Bulldogs were lauded for the attacking drive from their defenders. Then they went stingy. Partly because they needed to, but also because of natural evolution. Include Suckling, Boyd and Adams to the back six, and the balance between attack and defence looks better poised. Watch this space.
