Rd 2 2008 Sturt vs. Centrals @ Unley Oval

[Dogwatcher]

Just going on previous experiences mate

A lesson you probably learnt living in Reynella mate.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Centrals comfortably.

Didn't know you were a fisherman Sam (no bites yet).

Ah well still 5 days to go

Realistically though, I think it will be pretty close up til 3 qtr time, then the Dogs will overrun Sturt in the last qtr, not by much, but enough to get home pretty safely in the end, I think the fact Centrals are coming of a really good tough hit-out, whereas Sturt had a fairly cruisey game on Friday, may play a factor, and while sturt did look good, I think Norwood had quite abit to do with that, im not suggesting Sturt are not a good team, but Friday nights win may have them thinking they are a little better than they are.
You would also expect Centrals to be fairly hungry for a win at Unley, with it being 1 of only 2 grounds they lost at last year, its not really a major thing, but its one of very few things Centrals were not able to do last year, so you would think its something they would have set themselves for 2008.

hmmm sam you could be setting yourself up here mate. clearly remember the game at Unley last year some of your supporters were saying similar things. my oh my how the tune changed when it got a little bit tight....

Yes true, but at that point we were about 8-0 so you can probably understand why, and by that point of the season, I don’t think it was just Centrals supporters tipping that sort of result, plus when the team has only dropped about 5 games out of probably the last 35 games you can see why most supporters would genuinely think we will win going into every game, even the ones that are expected to be close.

[Grahaml]

I don't have a problem losing to a team playing better footy at this time of the year. History has shown that teams playing their best rounds 1-10 usually don't play their best footy in the finals. Even last year the dogs might have been 8-0 but only showed patches of what they could do.

The only time in the last 8 seasons I've thought the dogs were as good a the start of the season as they were all year was 2002, and we have had to live with the regret of not playing our best footy of that year on the most important day of all. I'd rather be 1-4 against a team and win a premiership than 4-1 and lose a granny!

[therisingblues]

I agree with Hazy Dog, it is an occassion fitting for a sell out at Unley. Sturt coming off a complete demolition of the Legs and now up against the reigning premier and the side that has dominated the comp' for many years now. Expectations are pretty high for the Blues this year, this is the sort of game that may well attract a few neutrals to see what 2008 has to offer.

[SBR]

I can see where sam's coming from, and good on him for having confidence.

In the end it's just a prediction.. and it being round 2, it's very hard to knowingly make an accurate one. I didn't see the dogs play on Saturday night, but listened to it, they still sounded impressive.

I do believe this one will go down to the wire though.. which will be exciting to say the least.

[Mr Irate]

Don't forget to lock your car

See you at Elizabeth the following week, don't forget to bring your joke with you

[Dogwatcher]

his joke? or his joke of a team that performed so well at Elizabeth last year?

[Rucciangelo]

Chambers will have to take on Sibenaler first who he cannot beat one on one (so he must lead) and then perhaps Andrew Hayes who might be able to hold him on the lead. Chambers and the Sturt midfield will have to be smart in how they get big Brant the ball if he is to have an influence.

Funny stuff! I don't recall Chambo having trouble against the Dogs last year! The good thing is that he's not a lone soldier down there this year!

[CUTTERMAN]

Didn't he kick 7 last time the Doggies came to Unley?

[whufc]

Didn't he kick 7 last time the Doggies came to Unley?

Yeah he did on Schell who i thought was one of our best that day, would of kicked 10-12 on any one else.

Thats why this week i think Havelberg will play as a loose man in defense and try to chop out all forward 50 entries from sturt.
I think you can afford to just have the two talls up forward on the postage stamp unley oval being Cowan and Lawry playing from inside 50. The ball does generally just go over the head of the CHF all day.
Having one less tall forward will also open up inside 50 meters giving blokes like Callinan, Slade, Dutschke more oppurtunity when they crumb up forward.
I think Earl Shaw will be real important his tap work is awesome if he can first hands to the ball thats a huge advantage as the next kick takes you inside 50, very important IMHO to win the rucks at Unley Oval.
My tip is Central by 7, wouldn't be surprised if sturt got up though, but it's only round 2 so i don't think it will be any guide to how the premiership will pan out just yet.

[Blue Boy]

Chambers will have to take on Sibenaler first who he cannot beat one on one (so he must lead) and then perhaps Andrew Hayes who might be able to hold him on the lead. Chambers and the Sturt midfield will have to be smart in how they get big Brant the ball if he is to have an influence.

Funny stuff! I don't recall Chambo having trouble against the Dogs last year! The good thing is that he's not a lone soldier down there this year!

Last Year Chambo kicked 7 @ Elizabeth ( with 2 magarey votes ) and I rekon it was about the same @ Unley ( may of been 6 )

So he had no problems with the Central defenders last year it would look like !!!

On Saturday I rekon the match up of Schell v Perrie could be the intersting one to watch as the Sarge will make sure that Scell is accountable !!!

[Blue Boy]

FWIW

Sturt to win by 3 goals !!!

[doggies4eva]

I can see where sam's coming from, and good on him for having confidence.

In the end it's just a prediction.. and it being round 2, it's very hard to knowingly make an accurate one. I didn't see the dogs play on Saturday night, but listened to it, they still sounded impressive.

I do believe this one will go down to the wire though.. which will be exciting to say the least.

Does Unley have wire

[bulldogproud]

Not sure about the game result but I can predict Central's coaching staff will have to be collecting doggie ummm's from the oval before the match. They have to every year - not sure why the council does not do this before matches.
Cheers

[Grahaml]

Chambers record against the dogs previously was poor if I recall correctly. Tried to body Brian Haraida time and time again. However, last season he and Sturt caused quick turnover allowing him space, and he played his opponent cleverly rather than just sticking with the one strategy even when it wasn't working. All I'm saying is if he plays like he did in 2006 and earlier, he will struggle, but if he plays like 2007 he will have an influence. Not sure where you read it but at no stage did I say he'd never had an influence before!

[phantom57]

Me thinks that a 'yellow river' is starting to trickle out North!!!!

[smac]

What on earth would make you think that?

[drebin]

Me thinks that a 'yellow river' is starting to trickle out North!!!!

Yep - those Southern end toilets at Prospect blocked again!!!

[Zulu]

If this game is anything like last year's at Unley, it will be a beauty. Centrals are clearly the measuring stick for the other teams in the comp, and rightfully so. Being the hunted every week certainly hasn't seemed to affect the doggies in previous years. In fact, they seem to thrive on it!

[therisingblues]

If this game is anything like last year's at Unley, it will be a beauty. Centrals are clearly the measuring stick for the other teams in the comp, and rightfully so. Being the hunted every week certainly hasn't seemed to affect the doggies in previous years. In fact, they seem to thrive on it!

All the more reason for people to get down to Unley for this game. It is going to be a blockbuster! I sense that whatever the result is from this game will be a portent for 2008.
Watershed.