Rnd 22 - Central v Sturt Preview @ Elizabeth (N) Sat 29/8

[Cambridge Clarrie]

Serious question grahaml, have you have said anything positive or given credit where it's due to the opposition side when Central have been beaten?

Maybe I have a selective memory but for mine, whenever the dogs lose your posts on this site are littered with 'we didn't do this' or 'our sloppy skills allowed x to play this way'...

The dogs have been the team of the decade no doubt, but surely when thay have lost, including the 2002 and 2006 GF's, it's possible they were outplayed, no?

I know you are having a shot at GL MST but I will reply given that I am of the same mindset. It goes without saying that the team who wins plays best on the day. But the coach and players at doggyland (and probably most clubs) beleive that they have the ability to win every time they run out on the ground. When we lose we must look at what we can do to improve. What other option is there - wait for the opposition to get worse?

And as you have raised the 2002 GF, do you really think that Sturt were the best side or year? Or did the doggies choose the worst day of the year to put in their worst performance of the year?

Based on that way of thinking, why have a Grand Final? Just give the Premiership to the side that finishes top of the ladder at the end of the home and away season...

A lot of sports don't - take English soccer - their premier is what we would call minor premier and then they have the FA cup - a knock-out comp which anyone can enter.

But I still advocate a GF and I am not suggesting that Sturt were not worthy winners in 02 - they came to play on the day and we didn't. That is what the GF format tests.

I agree. Every game throughout the year is about determining who has the right to play off in a game which is meant to determine the best side that year.

[Grahaml]

I give credit to a superior side simply beating us whenever it happens. However, the dogs have been the best side in the comp for most of the last decade, so it stands to reason that if we play to our peak potential we would win IMHO. To ponder whether I gave credit to the opposition in 2006 obviously shows that you have never read my comments on that game. I felt we did well to even get there and the eagles were clearly superior. There were moments that we perhaps made errors, but overall it felt like we were incapable to match them that day. 2002 hurts because we were so soft early and gave you too much latitude. By the time we regained that it was too late. 2006 was easier to swallow because we gave our best and failed. 2002 we never gave our best.

Probably my comments merely reflect my belief that if we play to our best, anyone else's best isn't good enough. So unless you guys show something so make me change my mind Saturday I will be saying something similar should we drop that one. And I strongly believe in finals and the grand final. I think it's a true sign of a good team to not only be good all year, but be good enough on one given day to earn a premiership.

But a question to you, do you believe my comments about the dogs being capable of playing better on those occasions I have mentioned are true? Or do you simply think that is all we are capable of if Sturt play to that level?

[dotmar]

The bulldogs will be without slade this weekend. He come off with a hamstring compliant on the weekend and i couldn't see centrals risking him so close to finals!!!!!

[doggies4eva]

Here is the doggies squad:

Saturday 29th August, 6:30pm vs Sturt @ Hamra Homes Oval

League Team



Full Forward: Ian Callinan Daniel Schell Scott Dutschke
Half Forward: Chad O'Sullivan Jason Mackenzie Chris Gowans
Centre Line: Eddie Sansbury James Gowans Brayden O'Hara
Half Back: Paul Thomas Andrew Hayes Richard Cochrane
Full Back: Trent Goodrem Yves Sibenaler Heath Lawry



Ruck: Jonathon Griffin Ryan Williams Matthew Slade





Interchange: Thomas Dunne, Kyle Jenner, Lee Spurr & Adam Switala

[MST]

[quote="Grahaml"]I give credit to a superior side simply beating us whenever it happens. However, the dogs have been the best side in the comp for most of the last decade, so it stands to reason that if we play to our peak potential we would win IMHO. To ponder whether I gave credit to the opposition in 2006 obviously shows that you have never read my comments on that game. I felt we did well to even get there and the eagles were clearly superior. There were moments that we perhaps made errors, but overall it felt like we were incapable to match them that day. 2002 hurts because we were so soft early and gave you too much latitude. By the time we regained that it was too late. 2006 was easier to swallow because we gave our best and failed. 2002 we never gave our best.

Probably my comments merely reflect my belief that if we play to our best, anyone else's best isn't good enough. So unless you guys show something so make me change my mind Saturday I will be saying something similar should we drop that one. And I strongly believe in finals and the grand final. I think it's a true sign of a good team to not only be good all year, but be good enough on one given day to earn a premiership.

But a question to you, do you believe my comments about the dogs being capable of playing better on those occasions I have mentioned are true? Or do you simply think that is all we are capable of if Sturt play to that level?[/quote]

I'll answer your question in two parts.

Obviously it is history and everyone will have differing opinions but my opinion is that in 2002 Sturt had played Central four times before the GF and in each of those contests were never able to field their best combination through injury/suspension or otherwise. What we were able to do each time is get closer and more confident. The general feel around the club, even after the first loss at Unley early in the season, was that our best side playing our best footy would be more than a match for Central on any given day. Having spoken to numerous players at length about the build up to GF day it was apparent that each and every player was supremely confident of victory...and so it proved.

With regards to 2009, I certainly don't believe we are a 14 goal better side than Central (as was the margin in the only minor round meeting to date in 09) but I do believe that we are a more talented outfit, we have scored more points, conceded less. We seem to have a real issue with Glenelg, who I also firmly believe are a more accomplished side than the Dogs, but aside from that we have been terrific. The big difference is mental toughness and experience in the big games. Central are the masters of that.

I'll put it this way, if Sturt have the Dogs 23 points down at three quarter time in any upcoming final, I'd bet my bottom dollar we wouldn't let it slip. That comes with an extra year of experience, a couple more harder bodies and a mental recognition that we can beat Central District. I don't believe any of the boys fear the dogs like they used to, they still have enormous respect, but not fear.

[UK Fan]

2002 again YAWN. Need to let it go. Its just getting sad Sturt fans.

7 years later and your still trying to prove it wasnt a fluke against the team who has played in all 7 GFs since along with winning 5 of them. Time to move on me thinks. We stopped caring 6 years and 4 premierships ago.

I remember my Sturt mate told myself Sturt didnt fluke it and worked at getting closer and closer bollocks. So to prove it was a fluke I bet him a carton Centrals would win three premierships before Sturt would win another one. He paid up in 2005. And we have gone against since and all things going well. I could get my second carton this year.

Here is the doggies squad:

Saturday 29th August, 6:30pm vs Sturt @ Hamra Homes Oval

League Team



Full Forward: Ian Callinan Daniel Schell Scott Dutschke
Half Forward: Chad O'Sullivan Jason Mackenzie Chris Gowans
Centre Line: Eddie Sansbury James Gowans Brayden O'Hara
Half Back: Paul Thomas Andrew Hayes Richard Cochrane
Full Back: Trent Goodrem Yves Sibenaler Heath Lawry



Ruck: Jonathon Griffin Ryan Williams Matthew Slade





Interchange: Thomas Dunne, Kyle Jenner, Lee Spurr & Adam Switala

IN : Ohara (rec) Dunne
OUT: J.Westhoff (Chokers)

This game will be a tough one for the dogs I am very surprised Giles didnt come in for Westhoff. He has really improved this year and has been dominating the reserves. Something like 30 possesions 4 goals in a BOG preformance last week.

We need to stop Chambo he always detroys us. A big job for Heath lawry this week down back.

[CUTTERMAN]

So we fluked it in '02 UK? What a ridiculous thing to say. We were around the mark for nearly every year since '98 and have been pretty well since '02. It's like saying that WWT's flag was a fluke after playing numerous GF's. I hate to bring it up as does every Sturt supporter, but the events after '02 had a lasting affect on the players and wider club. The efforts of Centrals since 2000 have been sensational and unmatched previously and may never will be such is their dominance, however to assume that anyone who has beaten them for a flag is merely fluking it is absurb. What MST has mentioned about the players and coaching staff in their approach to the '02 season and GF is spot on, it's fact. Show some respect and regard UK, it's for this sort of mentality that port supporters and their club became so reviled.

[calzy]

We stopped caring 6 years and 4 premierships ago.

The Dogs have won 5 premierships since 2002.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

So we fluked it in '02 UK? What a ridiculous thing to say. We were around the mark for nearly every year since '98 and have been pretty well since '02. It's like saying that WWT's flag was a fluke after playing numerous GF's. I hate to bring it up as does every Sturt supporter, but the events after '02 had a lasting affect on the players and wider club. The efforts of Centrals since 2000 have been sensational and unmatched previously and may never will be such is their dominance, however to assume that anyone who has beaten them for a flag is merely fluking it is absurb. What MST has mentioned about the players and coaching staff in their approach to the '02 season and GF is spot on, it's fact. Show some respect and regard UK, it's for this sort of mentality that port supporters and their club became so reviled.

And they know as well as anyone that success doesn't last forever. Central will inevitably slide down the ladder in the forthcoming years, but yes, there's no doubt of their absolute dominance of the competition this past decade. Well deserved success that was a result of putting the right people in the right jobs...

So far as this weekend is concerned, I expect that Sturt will go down by maybe 5 goals, but when we play again in a few weeks time, I'm confident we'll knock the Dogs off. Sturt at their best (this year) are a more dominant side than the Bulldogs at their best. The aura of invicibility is evaporating...

[whufc]

So we fluked it in '02 UK? What a ridiculous thing to say. We were around the mark for nearly every year since '98 and have been pretty well since '02. It's like saying that WWT's flag was a fluke after playing numerous GF's. I hate to bring it up as does every Sturt supporter, but the events after '02 had a lasting affect on the players and wider club. The efforts of Centrals since 2000 have been sensational and unmatched previously and may never will be such is their dominance, however to assume that anyone who has beaten them for a flag is merely fluking it is absurb. What MST has mentioned about the players and coaching staff in their approach to the '02 season and GF is spot on, it's fact. Show some respect and regard UK, it's for this sort of mentality that port supporters and their club became so reviled.

And they know as well as anyone that success doesn't last forever. Central will inevitably slide down the ladder in the forthcoming years, but yes, there's no doubt of their absolute dominance of the competition this past decade. Well deserved success that was a result of putting the right people in the right jobs...

So far as this weekend is concerned, I expect that Sturt will go down by maybe 5 goals, but when we play again in a few weeks time, I'm confident we'll knock the Dogs off. Sturt at their best (this year) are a more dominant side than the Bulldogs at their best. The aura of invicibility is evaporating...

I don't know if you can really judge that because i don't think anyone has seen Central at their best yet and the last decade has proved that you won't see Central at their best until at least mid September.

[Cambridge Clarrie]

time will tell whufc... only my opinion and if you go on to win the flag I'll be red faced...

[whufc]

time will tell whufc... only my opinion and if you go on to win the flag I'll be red faced...

yeah totally agree, don't worry i have given the Sturt supporters on here plenty to throw back at me if Central are defeated by Sturt come final time.

[CUTTERMAN]

WHUFC is right CC, the doggies can't be ruled out till they're out. On that, I'd give the doggies a 60/40 chance of a flag this year, bays probably the same and Sturt running at 50/50, thoughts?

[whufc]

Sturt squad anyone?

I don't know what game Roy Laird is playing but im very surprised that he brought in Thomas Dunne, while he did well in his earlier games i don't believe he really adds anything to the team that we don't already have,

Personally i would have played Giles, mainly for the fact he can play up forward giving us more options down back and in particular on Chambers. If we have to make moves on Chambers by playing Schell down back i think our forward line is weakend.

Haven't seen the Sturt squad yet but personally i don't like the balance of this Central line-up which is swaying me to think Sturt may cause an upset at the Ponderosa.

[am Bays]

Trengrove and Vassel in missed the outs.

Vassel was named last week but didn't play.

[bayman]

off course big phil is an out this week

[CUTTERMAN]

League


FF Trengove Chambers Plant

HFF Herring Johncock Bode

C Gum Sheedy Bratton

HBF Fittock Coad Nelson

FB Mcglone Wark Avery

RUCK Kurtze
RUCK ROVER Evans
ROVER Crane

IN Trengove Vassal

INTERCHANGE
Bowen
Cubillo
Payne
Jaensch
Vassal

[Cambridge Clarrie]

That's as close to the best team we could field. How long until McLeay is back? Is it right to bring back a player who's missed most of the season at such an important time of the year?

[CUTTERMAN]

Not sure CC, he got thru last weeks game for the ressies and we'll know more after this weeks ressies game for which he's named, so he pulled up ok after last week. My guess is that if he shows form this week and pulls up ok then he'll play against the Maggies

[CUTTERMAN]

Hey Voice or Barto, what's happening with DB.org?