Rnd 1 v the Doggies - HERE WE GO! All pre-game comment pls

Post by **WhyPhilWhy?** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:49 pm

As we have in the past, we will sticky one thread for pre-game comments and another for post-game.

Individual threads on specific topics from each game are ok, but please try to keep all general comments contained within the stickied thread.

All threads will be archived to the Match forum as the new thread takes over.

Go Pies!

Love....BBMods

crackers57 · Post by **crackers57** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:59 pm

I am really looking forward to the start this year. I hope to take my 2 boys to see their first game on Monday and open their eyes to life in the Magpie Army.

Meatpie · Post by **Meatpie** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 1:44 pm

Maxwell has to play this week, I think he has well and truely earned it !

Don't think Jason Cloke will be on display, according to Mick last week he wanted to run him through a few games at Willi first for match fitness.

Only missing Fraser, Richards and Didak....conserns over the fitness of Bucks and Tarks but other than that a mighty impressive line up to kick of the season with !

Looking forward to see how Caracella fits in to the forward line !

Post by **stoliboy** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:07 pm

AFL.COM.AU predicting a Pies win by 3 points.

Ben

Match Preview: Collingwood v Western Bulldogs
11:36:49 AM Tue 22 March, 2005
Paul Gough
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&s ... eid=191195

COLLINGWOOD V WESTERN BULLDOGS

WHERE & WHEN: MCG, 2.15pm, Monday. Coverage on Channel Ten, 3AW, ABC, Triple M

HEAD TO HEAD: Collingwood 98, Bulldogs 36, Drawn 1.

LAST TIME: Collingwood 17.13 (115) d Bulldogs 8.18 (66), round 17, 2004 at Telstra Dome.

THE MEDICAL ROOM: The Magpies have their injury worries going into the start of the season with number one ruckman Josh Fraser to miss the first two months with cartilage damage while back-up ruckman Guy Richards is struggling to be fit due to a knee injury. And goalsneak Alan Didak is expected to miss several matches with a knee tendon problem. However skipper Nathan Buckley is on course to lead his team into the opening game despite not having played at all during the pre-season after tearing his hamstring in late February. The Bulldogs will also start the season without one of their best players with the inspirational Brad Johnson sidelined with an ankle injury. But other than that the Bulldogs are in good shape and will be hoping Matthew Robbins (shoulder) and Daniel Cross (eye) will be available.

THE STORY SO FAR: The Bulldogs were impressive in the Wizard Home Loans Cup and it took eventual champions Carlton to end their pre-season cup hopes in the semi-finals. The Bulldogs' pre-season victims included last year's finalists Sydney and St Kilda as the Doggies showed they are likely improvers under new coach Rodney Eade. The Magpies also started the Wizard Cup impressively in beating Richmond in the first game but then ran into a red-hot Eagles' outfit in the quarter-finals, but after bowing out of the official pre-season competition, the Magpies then recorded an impressive practice match win over reigning premiers Port Adelaide.

THE WHITEBOARD: The Bulldogs will be looking to take advantage of the Magpies' depleted ruck stocks in this clash with the possibility the Pies may have to play debutant David Fanning in the first ruck up against the Bulldogs' new skipper Luke Darcy. The Pies will be looking to their key forwards Chris Tarrant and Anthony Rocca to give them the winning edge, hoping their powerful twin strike-force will stretch a Bulldogs defence that still lacks height and class.

THE VERDICT: Collingwood would normally start warm favourites in this game but the loss of Fraser gives the Bulldogs a great chance of causing an upset and giving Eade a fairytale return to coaching. The key for the Bulldogs is whether they can contain Rocca and Tarrant but if their young, improving midfield led by young gun Adam Cooney and veteran Scott West can win enough of the ball then the Dogs could starve Rocca and Tarrant of chances. If Rocca and Tarrant fire the Pies will win but the Bulldogs will never get a better chance of beating a side they have traditionally struggled against in front of what should be a big crowd. However the Pies' extra class in attack might just see them prevail. Collingwood by three points.

Swanny21 · Post by **Swanny21** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:31 pm

I'm really looking forward to this game, my first home and away game in 20 yrs. 2 of my 3 children will be there as well as a Son In Law and my 5 yr old Grandson. (They all moved back to Melb and left me up here:)

I'll be there for the first 4 rounds so hopefully I can catch up with some of you.

Go Pies

3rd degree · Post by **3rd degree** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:42 pm

It will be a tough encounter so long as we use the corridor for once we should win by 3 goals.

Broken_Benjamin · Post by **Broken_Benjamin** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:45 pm

As long as Taz Gets some good contested marks and kicks some goals. And Bucks gets some game time with no injuries I'll be happy, I recon we will get up by 4 -5 goals.
Bring on the footy!

Two_Pies · Post by **Two_Pies** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 2:51 pm

If Fanning gets the nod then he will have a great first test in Darcy or whoever the Dogs line up in the ruck. Eade may feel the only way to combat a full Pies forward line is flood and run so our midfield should be a quick and often-rotated one.

Does anyone reckon there is a tagging role required on Monday ie West ??

Doesn't pay to underestimate the Doggies this year they may not be a top 8 but I reckon there has been some improvement from that side we saw last year.

GO PIES - Can't wait !!

BHPIE · Post by **BHPIE** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:09 pm

Dogs always a tough game,I hope we get off to a flyer,time will tell,GO PIES KILL EM.

droche 2004 · Post by **droche 2004** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 3:49 pm

8 goals we wil win by, we are a 2 goal a quarter better side.

New ruck rules will help Fanning and C2/Rocca can help out around the ground. Bulldogs defence is suspect and we should take full advantage of that fact.

I think we are better in every position on the ground.

pies1973 · Post by **pies1973** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:28 pm

whether we win by 3 points or 10 goals l`m hoping for a big improvement from the 3-4 year players such as cole,roids,lonie etc..

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:29 pm

Game will be a lot closer than all assume and I would think that if we won by anything near 8 goals it would be a phenomonal performance.

I think we have to definately stretch them down back, Rocca likely to get Rawlings and Tarrant to get Harris, we need a third key forwward, possibly Cameron Cloke to really make an impact early on.

A lot of Bulldogs play will generate from half bank so flankers need to be accountable, Burns would be my first option on a flank and have him drift into the middle and then back into a pocket, freeing up space for leading forwards. West is no longer the key in the middle for the Dogs, as such expect Cooney to be tagged heavily with someone like Holland running with him and Cole to get the job on Rohan Smith.

Bottom line is that the pies need to show the rest of the comp they wont be backing up the second half of the ladder and the dogs need to show that they can play with the bigger boys. Key forwards to be the difference in the end.

M@®© · Post by **M@®©** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:49 pm

So many think the Pies will flog the Dogs, but im expecting a close one with the Pies winning by 13 points

Johnson#26 · Post by **Johnson#26** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 4:59 pm

Can't wait for this one - predicting a 17 point win.

Go Pies!!

*Match Preview and Flashback up in the next day or two!*

Eunos · Post by **Eunos** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 5:15 pm

Dogs by 5 points.

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Rnd 1 v the Doggies - HERE WE GO! All pre-game comment pls

Rnd 1 v the Doggies - HERE WE GO! All pre-game comment pls