Pre Game Thread, Trial 1: Bulldogs vs Storm @ Belmore, 7pm Thu 15-Feb

[Psycho Doggie]

Will have to watch a replay as I'm filling in for a stupid meeting at the same time as the game.

The one thing I want to see out of today is our tackle and ruck effectiveness as well as workload sharing in the middle.

If we are allowing the same middles to make multiple tackles with no help from the fringes, we have learnt nothing and will lose the ruck.

I also want to see our halves demand the ball and vary their plays. If I see our halves hiding in backplay till last tackle kick, I will start looking at the betting odds to see what we are paying for the wooden spoon.

If anyone sees a metallic green blur heading down the M5 around 6:30pm tonight that is me trying to get home in time to watch it live...

 

[InGusWeTrust]

I’m ready to be disappointed

But hoping to be wowed by some players. Hughes, Joash, Xerri and Samrani perhaps.

 

[The__GM]

What happened to our boy Harrison J Edwards?

And what happened to Perham?

 

[Cook]

Be nice to see a kicking game with a plan to build pressure. Wonder how many times 5th tackle comes around and no one’s anywhere to be seen. Now now stay positive, that was last year.

 

[Dyldog]

Is Burton still captain ??

Hope so

 

[CrittaMagic69]

We're playing an out and out reserve side and are probably having a session now as we speak. Can't wait for the overreactions on here tonight. We will be there.

 

[Moedogg]

C'mon guys, it's a new season so let's start off with a bit of positivity and optimism. Only thing I know is we're going to improve this year, by how much? We'll find out soon.

 

[CaptainJackson]

We're playing an out and out reserve side and are probably having a session now as we speak. Can't wait for the overreactions on here tonight. We will be there.

$1.01 odds of you over reacting 1 min after the game

 

[Powerslide]

The back 5 for Storm are likely who will be there Rd1. Forwards and Halves/Hookers are all green though.

We are missing about half our starting team... While I agree I hope we win, I am not going to slit my wrists if we struggle. I hope that Hutcho has a good controlling game but that will depend greatly on how much time he is given by our forwards. I will be looking at how Reed use King and Hughes and how effective they are at making yards.

I want to see opportunities created but if they don't get iced I'm not going to be upset.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

$1.01 odds of you over reacting 1 min after the game

 

[Cook]

We're playing an out and out reserve side and are probably having a session now as we speak. Can't wait for the overreactions on here tonight. We will be there.

Debbie downer

 

[CaptainJackson]

Pro Burton or anti burton this year?

 

[Kempsey Dog]

Not expecting to much, left edge to get most ball. Hopefully Xerri impresses

 

[CrittaMagic69]

Pro Burton or anti burton this year?

For now I'm pro Burton @ centre, Anti Burton @ 5/8. If he performs I'll change my mind.

 

[Cook]

The back 5 for Storm are likely who will be there Rd1. Forwards and Halves/Hookers are all green though.

We are missing about half our starting team... While I agree I hope we win, I am not going to slit my wrists if we struggle. I hope that Hutcho has a good controlling game but that will depend greatly on how much time he is given by our forwards. I will be looking at how Reed use King and Hughes and how effective they are at making yards.

I want to see opportunities created but if they don't get iced I'm not going to be upset.

Good post. We are missing a lot of players also. I’ve said for many years, u can win games quite easily in rounds 1-5, by simply holding the ball and getting through sets. I just wanna see that really, with a good kicking game. Attack to follow

 

[Harry Oz]

We're playing an out and out reserve side and are probably having a session now as we speak. Can't wait for the overreactions on here tonight. We will be there.

Isn't this typical for the first trial?
Making sure as many players as possible get the opportunity for contact?

I’m ready to be disappointed

But hoping to be wowed by some players. Hughes, Joash, Xerri and Samrani perhaps.

Mainly curious to see how Kautoga and Faamausili go.
If these two guys can step up to first grade level then a middle forward depth crisis can be avoided.
How guys like Xerri, Taaffe and Hutchison and even Hughes go will be exciting.
But we already know they are 1st grade talent.
Although Dogs won't have a Hass or Tino, if Kautoga can help keep the bench/middle solid & looking at the strike power out wide, the $3.60 for a top 8 finish could be a tempting price.

 

[MattyB]

now I have to reactivate my kayo account.....

I split the cost with my mate, they have upped the cost this year, $30 a month

 

[chemdog]

I split the cost with my mate, they have upped the cost this year, $30 a month

is that with the 2 devices or 1?

30$ is fine when I'll only use it from now until end of august anyway

 

[Freakzilla]

Not sure how the weather is at Belmore but it's been raining in Punchbowl all night & still is. Might be a wet track.

 

[CrittaMagic69]

Not sure how the weather is at Belmore but it's been raining in Punchbowl all night & still is. Might be a wet track.

It's wet everywhere in Sydney