Rnd 20 - North v Central @ Prospect Preview (Sat 15/8)

[Big Phil]

The Roosters went down to the Bays yesterday and will be keen to respond after 3 losses in a row, knowing that Westies are breathing down their neck for that 5th spot.

The Dogs will be fresh after a win over the Maggies a fortnight ago and a bye this weekend and will want to continue winning and improving thier form going into the finals.

Makes for another good clash between these 2 sides with the Dogs winning at Prospect by 5 goals earlier in the season, which will no doubt give them some confidence.

The Roosters will be hoping some of their sore bodies will pull up okay for the clash on Saturday, especially ruckman Cain Ackland, who was a late withdrawl from yesterday.

At this early stage, Dogs by 3 goals for me.

[Wedgie]

Would have been a thrashing even before you take into account North are coming off a 6 day break with the Dogs coming off a fortnight.
I'm only going because of the comedy value.

[dedja]

Despite hysteria to the contrary from some quarters, North will be very competitive.

I would not be surprised at all to see them push the Doggies.

I will be interested to see how the Dogs will respond in this match, considering the finals are just around the corner.

[doggies4eva]

Given that North won this corresponding game last year - late in the season at Prospect, you would have to rate them a chance. At this time of the year with the double chance looking a certainty the focus will be on getting the team match fit for september. This means that we are vulnerable to a team like North who have a lot of talent and must win a few more games to be playing finals.

[drebin]

The Roosters went down to the Bays yesterday and will be keen to respond after 3 losses in a row, knowing that Westies are breathing down their neck for that 5th spot.

The Dogs will be fresh after a win over the Maggies a fortnight ago and a bye this weekend and will want to continue winning and improving thier form going into the finals.

Makes for another good clash between these 2 sides with the Dogs winning at Prospect by 5 goals earlier in the season, which will no doubt give them some confidence.

The Roosters will be hoping some of their sore bodies will pull up okay for the clash on Saturday, especially ruckman Cain Ackland, who was a late withdrawl from yesterday.

At this early stage, Dogs by 13 goals for me.

You missed the one in front of the 3 in your original post.

We couldn't win if we started on Friday!

[Adam4]

Laird was at the North/Glenelg match in the Northern Stand. Left about half way through the last quarter. I think we fooled him with our skill errors!

[G]

I'd accept a 3 goal loss right now and not bother playing the game

[MagareyLegend]

Laird was at the North/Glenelg match in the Northern Stand. Left about half way through the last quarter. I think we fooled him with our skill errors!

Yes, a master stroke of deception by Healy.

[CENTURION]

Once again, We only beat Our last opponent with 1 quarter of footy. We are still way off the mark, North will be absolutely desperate to win this weekend & prevent missing the finals. This will be a tough match, a draw for me.

[spell_check]

Once again, We only beat Our last opponent with 1 quarter of footy. We are still way off the mark, North will be absolutely desperate to win this weekend & prevent missing the finals. This will be a tough match, a draw for me.

No, Tony Dey will assist West Adelaide by paying a free kick to Schell after the siren. He goals and North go down by 6 points enabling West to be very close to a finals berth.

[doggies4eva]

Once again, We only beat Our last opponent with 1 quarter of footy. We are still way off the mark, North will be absolutely desperate to win this weekend & prevent missing the finals. This will be a tough match, a draw for me.

No, Tony Dey will assist West Adelaide by paying a free kick to Schell after the siren. He goals and North go down by 6 points enabling West to be very close to a finals berth.

That would prove that every dog has his Dey

[Wedgie]

Once again, We only beat Our last opponent with 1 quarter of footy. We are still way off the mark, North will be absolutely desperate to win this weekend & prevent missing the finals. This will be a tough match, a draw for me.

No, Tony Dey will assist West Adelaide by paying a free kick to Schell after the siren. He goals and North go down by 6 points enabling West to be very close to a finals berth.

That would prove that every dog has his Dey

BWAHAHAHA!!!

[doggies4eva]

Apparently 10 doggies players missed training this week with the flu.

We might struggle to field a side

[Wedgie]

Apparently 10 doggies players missed training this week with the flu.

We might struggle to field a side

Is there a new epidemic? Dog Flu?

[redandblack]

Once again, We only beat Our last opponent with 1 quarter of footy. We are still way off the mark, North will be absolutely desperate to win this weekend & prevent missing the finals. This will be a tough match, a draw for me.

No, Tony Dey will assist West Adelaide by paying a free kick to Schell after the siren. He goals and North go down by 6 points enabling West to be very close to a finals berth.

Yes, my favourite umpire, spelly.

I congratulated him on a great display after the game last week.

[Big Phil]

Apparently 10 doggies players missed training this week with the flu.

We might struggle to field a side

Is there a new epidemic? Dog Flu?

Here is the Messenger article that mentions that about 'Dog Flu' and how Roy is stepping up the Doggies training regime...


http://leader-messenger.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/laird-puts-dogs-on-notice/

Laird puts Dogs on notice


Roy Laird

CENTRAL District master coach Roy Laird admits his team must lift or its dream premiership run will be over.

Despite sitting second on the ladder, the Bulldogs have lost three of their past four last quarters, prompting Laird to up the ante at training.

``I could sit here arrogantly and say `I know what we’re capable of’,’’ Laird said.

``But I’ve always put our players on notice.

``Our blokes thrive on hard work and fortunately we’ve got four weeks to do that.

``11-3 is not a bad record, but we want to play better. We haven’t played an exceptional brand of football often enough.’’

The flu sidelined 10 players from training last week but those who did train over the bye weekend were put through a solid skills and conditioning session on Saturday morning.

With five players aged in their 30s - Chris and James Gowans, Adam Switala, Yves Sibenaler and Matthew Slade) - Central District has more mature age players than any other side in the top five.

But Laird said they would not escape the added training load in coming weeks.

``It’s a fact that we pick training up in the latter part of the year.

``They (older players) do all the running and they’re leading the way.

``They hammer home to the rest of the group how important it is and it has never affected our form.’’

The Bulldogs won seven games in a row to open the season before consecutive losses to the Eagles and Sturt in Rounds Eight and Nine.

That was followed by a shock loss to West Adelaide in Round 15, and while disappointed, Laird said it was unrealistic to think his side would go through a season undefeated or without a mid-season stumble.

``We’ve got a wide range of players who work, a lot of them have families and it’s the middle of winter,’’ he said.

``There are that many side factors that can affect your preparation.

``So you’d be crazy to think you won’t have lull periods during the season.’’

Gunning for their eighth flag this decade, and third in a row, the Bulldogs play North Adelaide, South Adelaide, Sturt and Norwood in the run to finals.

``They’re genuine games,’’ Laird said.

``We look like we’ve secured a top three berth and no doubt (that was the aim).

``Then all of a sudden the boys start to get a bit toey that they’re in with a shot.’’

[UK Fan]

Should be a good game always hard to call a teams form coming off the bye, and knowing they have been in finals preparation mode. Ian Callinans 50th for the dogs I believe. What a great recruit he has been for the Dogs. Two premierships and a best and fairest already. One of those guys that when he is on is worth the price of admission.

[the joker]

i hope For Smac the Roosters get up,
but cant see it

[Mic]

I reckon North will be competitive, probably being within a goal sometime during the 2nd half, but will lose by 30-40 points. Seems to be the pattern this year.

[johntheclaret]

I guess it's hard to see where a Rooster win is going to come from.

I thought North were unlucky last time they met and missed a bagful of goals. Maybe we rise to the occasion a bit better than we used to do, so maybe a suprise this week.