The Bulldogs 2024 style of play & Game plan ..

[Hound Dog]

We need a ball playing lock. Rewind to Bulldog v Tiger at Belmore. We are lined up for a set play, King throws a pass behind and Tigers score picking up the loose ball almost length of the field.

When is the last time you have seen Yeo or Murray throw a shit pass that leads to the opposition scoring?

I personally hope we don't go that route, nor the skilful classy type of lock forward, yeah maybe fill-in for a set play pass on the odd occasion.
I'd usually want the tackle machine type of lock but in this team, we probably want a hard running and support runner and doing the decoy runs type of lock someone who is great defending laterally and on broken play. I don't know if we have room to use a prop type of lock neither. Morrin would be a decent fit, Curran naturally plays a good game anywhere you'd put him he'd do good at lock.

 

[D0GMATIC]

We will have to play a more expansive game, and play to our strengths, which is out wide. We can't just play 1 pass off the ruck or we will get killed in the middle

 

[GoTheDoggies]

I personally hope we don't go that route, nor the skilful classy type of lock forward, yeah maybe fill-in for a set play pass on the odd occasion.
I'd usually want the tackle machine type of lock but in this team, we probably want a hard running and support runner and doing the decoy runs type of lock someone who is great defending laterally and on broken play. I don't know if we have room to use a prop type of lock neither. Morrin would be a decent fit, Curran naturally plays a good game anywhere you'd put him he'd do good at lock.

I believe we absolutely must go for a ball playing lock if we want to get our attack firing.

A quality ball playing lock will give the halves more time and space.

 

[Hound Dog]

I believe we absolutely must go for a ball playing lock if we want to get our attack firing.

A quality ball playing lock will give the halves more time and space.

Interesting point, keep in mind, (most of the time) we've been trying and many clubs are trying to do that.

You'll most likely see us attempt to play the way you're saying.

 

[Freakzilla]

 

[Cook]

Be nice to see a successful sweep play, winger crosses in corner. Hopefully JT can teach them how to count numbers, and draw and pass. Be an improvement on last year

 

[Ant2611]

We all know we’re weak up the middle .. if Gus doesn’t manage to pick up a prop or two come kick off …. what type of game plan are you expecting to see from the team this year ..

I’m hoping Jason Taylor can make a big statement for our attack, I hope he’s bought along a big book of set plays and some old school tricks of the trade that structured footy has taken out of the game.

Like him or not, Taylor was a very smart top half in his day and he’s had success at top level coaching for a lot of years …. I’m hoping he’s spending a lot of his time with our spine players, especially Burton Mahoney and Sexton and their kicking games.

I’m hoping to see Burton put the bomb away and use his big boot to accurately kick deep into the corners, use our speed men to get down there in numbers and keep ‘em down there ..

I’m hoping to see Burton, Mahoney and Sexton mix up their kicking game and always be thinking kicking to the corners, 40/20’s and repeat sets ..

Burton #6 … I’m hoping JT can teach him to be a better game manager, how to speed up and slow down the tempo of the game, how to tire the opposition while conserving our energy, smart football using his big boot to control metres and momentum, and of cause, use his running skills & set up Kik’s JAC and those around him, the bomb should only be used randomly and when we’re in front.

Sexton #7 … CC & JT should give him a licence to play eyes up footy … mix everything up and keep it random, run the ball, don’t run it this time and instead punch a kick through the line, another time put one over the top to our speed men, randomly put in a long one here and there, continually keep the opposition guessing.

Mahoney #9 … change it up and run the ball a bit more, continue to take the pressure off Burton by kicking to the corners and for 40/20’s, more trust in those around him in defence, it’s not his job to tackle every player for 80 minutes, also help to control the tempo.

Adding to that I’m hoping to see a FB and 13 that can chime in on the oppositions line and play ball like a half/be a big threat in attack.

Yes the middle is weak, but the team can compensate for that if they have a smart game plan, execute it well, and stick to it for 80 minutes.

If JT can bring with him a new exciting style of attack and CC can get them understanding and working together on his style of defensive structures, this team might just shock the hell out of a lot of people .. there’s no reason we can’t be scoring plenty of points through both long range try’s and plenty when on their line, but smart game management from our spine to compensate for weaknesses will be key to a successful 2024.

What a great assessment. Hope you can actually speak that to the coaches and team sometime but I guess that's not on the cards. But you never know our team looked crap in 1967 when Kandos took over and we nearly won the trophy that year. I think that was the year it all changed for the dogs or berries at the time. We became professional in our attitude and it showed on the field. Hope this year will be the same........

 

[Hound Dog]

This is a given, but teams that have bodies in motion, asking questions, ready for second phase play will be effective as in previous eras. It's tiring, big boppers work a different game, a style we won't really have, so fit and smart hole runners will be needed and running support lines and decoys statistically isn't really present so it's not that glorious in week-week convos and fantasy leagues, plus it needs chemistry/ trust in each other that they'll commit whether or not they receive the ball to help their mate and their team.

Having those inglorious decoys/support runners is effective, you naturally just see players supporting off star players or forwards but if the team can do it right, they can take on ALL teams in the comp. Communication from a playmaker not always in the action but calling some plays helps a tonne here too obviously. Then eventually the playmaker calls their play, kick.

 

[4Runner]

On average, how many points did the Panthers concede per match in 2023? Does that relate to the size of the pack? What influence does the points you score per match have with the amount you let in? All top coaches are defensive specialists, is it a coincidence we now have one of the best? I doubt much will happen in attack until the processes in our defensive system are sorted. Thankfully it looks like were getting close.

 

[Doggfather]

We actually have no forwards this year. We need former CEO Raylene back.

She would make the perfect prop

 

[Berries]

Our style of play will be called “hang on” or “get lucky”

 

[Berries]

On average, how many points did the Panthers concede per match in 2023? Does that relate to the size of the pack? What influence does the points you score per match have with the amount you let in? All top coaches are defensive specialists, is it a coincidence we now have one of the best? I doubt much will happen in attack until the processes in our defensive system are sorted. Thankfully it looks like were getting close.

How do you know we are getting close to having it sorted until we play again ?

 

[Kelpie03]

I agree with these comments, can’t be the dogs of war, so maybe it’s time to go back to being the entertainers for a while.

Hardest thing to defend against is a moving football, put it through the hands, shift their defence around and tire the bigger packs out.

Great post.
Barring injuries we have the players to at least challange for the 8 this year, if the team plays to its strength. In 2023 we had to many injuries with very little depth to blame C C.. If we dont have to many injuries this year it will be the make or break year for C C.

 

[4Runner]

How do you know we are getting close to having it sorted until we play again ?

I can feel it in my bones...but you're right, wont know for sure till we get cranking and thank god trials are close.

 

[Magic Burton]

Our style of play will be called “hang on” or “get lucky”

Burton bomb was our main attacking weapon last year

 

[BlackDawg]

You cant play an expansive game without winning the up front battle in the forwards & our forwards just aren't big enough. I will be real interested in what Ciraldo's game plan is in 2024 because our spine doesn't get repeat sets and he will have wave after wave of 110kg+ forwards pounding our defense & quick play the balls to generate ruck speed with refs simply giving 6 again every time we try to slow it down. That is the current winning formula & we simply don't have the forward cattle to counteract it in 24. I love the dogs but I cant see us even cracking top 10 this season. hopefully we have some big bopper juniors coming through.

 

[belmore_utd]

I would Ike to see us put more emphasis on working the markers over and dummy half running from the backs. The speed in the middle will help eat up metres. You know how the rest goes if we can start drawing defenders in

 

[Hound Dog]

I want a simple hard working game plan and some players given a licence to offload. It can be risky and lose possession but they've got preseason and should be familiar with each other by season start.

Before anything, defence needs to be on point, committed and supporting each other. The dreaded six agains, loose balls, will come against our team and the team just needs to accept it and make up for them as a unit.

I'd hate to seed any negative thoughts but I'm concerned about what the philosophy of forwards play is going to be, we just have to wait and see in time see what happens. It might be the same old. I'm worried playing too safe is going to statistically look good like the TBaz completion rates but I can't remember what happened that time, maybe it was other things resulting to bad results, attacking at the 20m, kicking game, no repeat sets, etc?

Case example, Max King. It's probably just from game maturity, who knows, but someone like Max King wasn't as effective last season probably partially because he wasn't offloading as much as when he first came on the scene. I see his offloads/ vision as a strength and for whatever reason he wasn't offloading anywhere near as much. Probably instructed or he just wanted to be more disciplined in his game, or defence read him better, etc. We wont get a clear answer unless he answers it.

A hard working forward pack with a few smart offloads each half will work wonders. Settlers not through the middle, unless they're quick scoots from dummy half. I'd want them like the Brian Smith Parra days, they usually ran their settlers around the tram lines .

Just a simple gameplan, doesn't need to be continual block plays like we're seeing most teams incorporate, Penrithesque nor ball playing props. It'll suit the modern game more than ever just as well as at times it historically did, now the referee would call the defence slowing the plays, wrestling. I've seen it many times, teams promoting the ball, or off a half break, against a slightly broken defence line, seem to gain more 6 agains then teams just playing one out settlers. Offloads could help gain more six agains plus it can help for rotations, squad players, interchanges, they can just do their job and just support teammates in attack and defence.

Whatever happens, the forwards have their roles and if the job's done, we can see the backs get involved for tries.

I want a simple hard working game plan and some players given a licence to offload. It can be risky and lose possession but they've got preseason and should be familiar with each other by season start.

Before anything, defence needs to be on point, committed and supporting each other. The dreaded six agains, loose balls, will come against our team and the team just needs to accept it and make up for them as a unit.

I'd hate to seed any negative thoughts but I'm concerned about what the philosophy of forwards play is going to be, we just have to wait and see in time see what happens. It might be the same old. I'm worried playing too safe is going to statistically look good like the TBaz completion rates but I can't remember what happened that time, maybe it was other things resulting to bad results, attacking at the 20m, kicking game, no repeat sets, etc?

Case example, Max King. It's probably just from game maturity, who knows, but someone like Max King wasn't as effective last season probably partially because he wasn't offloading as much as when he first came on the scene. I see his offloads/ vision as a strength and for whatever reason he wasn't offloading anywhere near as much. Probably instructed or he just wanted to be more disciplined in his game, or defence read him better, etc. We wont get a clear answer unless he answers it.

A hard working forward pack with a few smart offloads each half will work wonders. Settlers not through the middle, unless they're quick scoots from dummy half. I'd want them like the Brian Smith Parra days, they usually ran their settlers around the tram lines .

Just a simple gameplan, doesn't need to be continual block plays like we're seeing most teams incorporate, Penrithesque nor ball playing props. It'll suit the modern game more than ever just as well as at times it historically did, now the referee would call the defence slowing the plays, wrestling. I've seen it many times, teams promoting the ball, or off a half break, against a slightly broken defence line, seem to gain more 6 agains then teams just playing one out settlers. Offloads could help gain more six agains plus it can help for rotations, squad players, interchanges, they can just do their job and just support teammates in attack and defence.

Whatever happens, the forwards have their roles and if the job's done, we can see the backs get involved for tries.

Some simple improvements. Offloads, interchange communications and timings.
Fresh players lacking the previous seasons pressure and new chemistry is always going to start slowly. We couldn't leave those players out of the side to build true hunger and had to start the season with them all. Good attitude defensively and the forwards matched up. I'll take that loss but if it happens 5 games straight then shoulders will slump, pressure builds and no one will play adventurously or as a team, some players will try spark by doing something and it'll just look clunky, desperate, untimely. So hopefully that good attitude continues and gets us a win ASAP.

Parramatta, although not world beaters, played like how I'm hoping Bulldogs could incorporate into their play more. Offloads. Playing conservatively or only relying on sweep plays (aka blocks) is effective but is still resulting to some errors and predictability. With all the offloads, Eels were able to gain extra plays, metres, breaks.
I'm hoping this is only due to the team being new, season start, and just trying to play safe as they get used to each other, rather than being instructed to offload less. We saw a Parramatta team that's established, been around each other for awhile now, so it's understandable they can play more expansive and get away with it.

Also, bench management seems to have improved but I would want a little more, our starting Prop playing 15mins + 5mins and 2nd Rower 60mins (add half time break) then 2 mins isn't effective enough unless I'm missing something here. More crucially, unfortunate about Fox maybe shifting the interchange planning but the fact the message (if any) didn't get to CC till halftime needs to improve, not worth playing through injury right now if that's what Fox was trying to do or whoever made/didn't make the call. That err needs to be identified asap and fixed.

I'm not calling for staff changes, we'll definitely see improvements, it's part of the development of a rookie coach and new combinations. Any new coach will go through these things so it's way better to just ride it out.

 

[Berries]

Our style of play will be called “hang on” or “get lucky”

 

[D0GMATIC]

We will have to play a more expansive game, and play to our strengths, which is out wide. We can't just play 1 pass off the ruck or we will get killed in the middle

Turns out I was wrong . . We won't get killed through the middle