5 Things We Learned - Round 12
After a tricky three game stretch where we weren’t disgraced but simply outclassed, a confidence boosting win was required at the Kennel and that is exactly what happened. Win, tick. Percentage boost, tick.
The win might have come against Adelaide, but we did what was expected even though many (including myself) were fearful of being the first team to lose to them this season.
We move onto our final five matches of the 2020 season and hopefully there is plenty left in the tank, as well as some luck; to make our push for finals footy.
1. Bailey Williams is our most improved player
After finishing tenth in the Charles Sutton Medal in 2018, much was expected of Williams going into his fourth season at the club but unfortunately 2019 wasn’t to be as he battled form and a new role spending time within the midfield.
Fast forward 12 months and Williams is lock and loaded into our best 22 by a fair way, having greater responsibility thrust upon him becoming now one of our most important defenders.
For general defenders this year Williams is ranked equal 12th for effective disposals (158), 11th for intercept marks (17) and 20th for intercept possessions but most impressively Williams finds himself 3rd for total rebounds (62) averaging 5.2 a game, an elite figure. Williams drive and creativity down back sees him average nearly 400 metres gained; rated elite, per game this year.
Considering how highly we rate the contribution our half backs give to our game style it certainly wouldn’t surprise many Bulldog fans if he finished in the top five at the Clubs Best and Fairest later this year.
2. Capitalising On That Dominance
After the hammering we received last week against Brisbane in centre clearances and stoppages around the ground (25-36), it was pleasing to see us get back to what we are capable of.
Once again I reiterate it was against Adelaide, but we certainly put them to the sword, not just in clearance numbers (44-19) but our ability to translate such dominance into scoring opportunities.
In season 2020 we have averaged 21 points from stoppages so to put up 73 points is a pretty bloody good effort regardless who you are playing, especially when you consider more and more games are decided via how successful sides are in punishing its opposition from turnovers.
Our dominance at centre bounces (unlike last week) put us in the best position going forward and as a result we kicked our highest score since round 23 (119 points) last season, coincidentally against Adelaide. To emphasise this dominance, Bontempelli (12 clearances) had seven less than Adelaide’s overall tally of 19.
Such control of the midfield helped us become the third side this season to reach 60 + inside 50s in a game (61) joining Brisbane (round 4, Adelaide) and Port Adelaide (round 1, Gold Coast) to the figure, which is pretty impressive considering reduced quarters.
The tally of 61 inside 50s to 32 was the second largest inside 50 differential (+29) this year, after Port Adelaide’s pair of +31 inside 50 differential against Gold Coast in round 1 and Richmond in round 11.
It was only against the Crows but it will give the boys the much needed confidence boost that might be the catalyst that sparks the midfield to reach that dominance we regularly saw last season.
We’ll find out this Saturday afternoon against Melbourne just how many lessons we’ve learnt from the previous three games against Richmond, Port Adelaide and Brisbane.
It is a classic “eight point game” and hopefully we have taken it all in like a sponge.
Bailey Smith continued his strong form in 2020 with a dominant performance against the Crows. Marcus Bontempelli (pictured Number 4) wasn't too bad himself. Source: Getty Images
3. Halting End to End Transition.
In the opening half we did a lot right offensively and probably should have had an extra goal or two on the board but what was annoying was the manner of the goals we conceded where if we were up against a better side, could have seen us punished further.
It has been a problem for years (even during 2015 and 2016) where sides would from a kick in, or forward half turnover, manoeuvre the ball relatively unchallenged from their defensive half (+19 rebounds, 24-43), down the field with overlap run and carry before finishing off with a goal.
The saying "give someone an inch and they will take a mile" rings true. In the first half the Crows gave us quite a bit of trouble in that department scoring 26 (4.2) of their 33 (5.3) points from defensive half scores. This highlights a fault in our defensive pressure where we seem to be caught in the middle of two options: our defence is either pressing up way to high to support the midfielders or both structure lines are yet to cover the space on the field.
Finding that balance between aggressive and passive structures as well as mindset is the key to restricting such faults but it is a fine line in professional sport.
4. Hunter The Collector
Many know how important Lachlan Hunter is to our Club. The former Vice-Captain is known for his enormous running power, his two way ball winning ability, leadership, creativity and his on-field direction which is so critical to our system based game plan.
A return of 29 disposals, 19 uncontested possessions, four clearances, 380 metres gained, six marks and nine score involvements is a top game for any midfielder let alone a wingman and put him in comparison with the form he showed last season.
Hunter has had quite an event filled year but after some discussion last week by Channel Nine’s Caroline Wilson about his long term future at the Club, it naturally brought about some confusion and slight concern.
I personally don’t see any problem where other clubs are interested in our players as I’d see it as a compliment to the playing list that they are keenly sought out, my only problem would be if said player acts on that interest.
To see Hunter grab his jumper with such emotion after kicking his first goal of season 2020 was a beautiful sight and one we know comes from the heart. He bleeds red, white and blue.
It was a welcome return to the line up for Lachie Hunter in the Dogs 57 point win over the Crows. Source: Getty Images
5. How do we support English in the Ruck?
According to journalist Mark Stevens, English is a good chance to pull up for this Saturday’s game but with Melbourne having its ruck options in Max Gawn, Braydon Preuss and Luke Jackson injured or under injury clouds it might be a good time to consider letting “The Pom” have a well deserved rest after shouldering the ruck for majority of this season.
Enter Jordan Sweet.
So far Sweet has been named emergency 11 times, the most of any emergency this year and two more then Blues draftee Sam Philp and West Coast ruckman Bailey Williams.
We traditionally don’t play a second ruckman but when you see a contested ball winner in Josh Dunkley attending 30 ruck contests (English attended 39), it is quite bewildering and one that shouldn’t be happening that often even if English is tiring out.
There are benefits of using this tactic as we have an extra midfielder at the contest and strong ball winner but when it comes to dealing with top tier tap ruckman and midfielders it is a situation that can definitely be exploited and put us on the back foot.
Is Sweet the man to tackle Braydon Preuss and/or Max Gawn this Saturday if Tim English comes up short?