It was last night, the night I manoeuvred myself to realise the fact that the Bulldogs would not journey back to back.
It was a wild scrap in the first half, the kind the Bulldogs are known for. They still seemed off but they were there – they were in this game.
It came to the fourth quarter and the words ‘give up’ came to my mind. I saw many things that gave that opinion more worth. Jack Macrae completely removed himself from a contest which was a noticeable one.
I tried hard to think of the 2016 Dogs, they wouldn’t have let this one slip, would they? The same buy in from last year seems to have vanished. The question asked was who has improved from last year?
I’d state the most improved player would be Bailey Dale with a very minimal list of others to go against that argument.
As a fan of this great sport, the Dogs’ story was one that brought a fairy-tale feeling to the AFL, even for someone who has supported a dominant team.
I did feel it necessary for something to bring some hope or joy for so many long-suffering supporters, not just those in the red, white and the blue.
As someone who saw the ’09 Hawks hangover first hand, I have no doubt this season is a little blip on a very talented group.
The Dogs have a team led by stars such as Marcus Bontempelli, Macrae and Luke Dalhaus will no doubt be back, and for the sake of footy I hope an electric player like JJ can bounce back as well.
Footy is a whole heap of ups and downs. The Dogs got the flag they deserved. This year does not take that away from them.
The season has been crazy. The Dogs have fallen short so far and look likely to miss the finals, but with a decent enough draw the next few weeks they can still snarl this season.
Mark
Guest
Good to see you're looking at it objectively.
paulywalnuts
Guest
C'mon, the bloke lay motionless for half a minute. Then hops up and doesn't even come off. Would've made Pedro blush that one.
Mark
Guest
He meant to push him out but not into the post. All there is to it.
Mark
Guest
For supporters of a team that have just broken a massive premiership drought you sure are a spiky bunch. Chin up.
Paul W
Guest
Another pet hate of mine, pushing players moving at speed into the fence.
Paul W
Guest
Well if you were there you can obviously see more than we can with HD TV from several angles.
Ditto
Guest
From an Adelaide perspective, I hope those people gunning for the selection of Scott Thompson have seen what he has to offer and he can now be permanently dropped and we can move on.
Ditto
Guest
On the Tex incident a shepherd seems like rather glib language to me, I don't think he should cop too much, but given that there is a goal post in the vicinity there should be a question of undue care, but having said that, slamming someone into a fence seems to be ok.
Cat
Roar Guru
You'll have to wait til the dogs start winning again, he and his alter ego donfreo don't come out much when both teams are losing
Rex
Guest
Don't worry about me nufty - I was there. Zero in it I'm afraid - Fluke beveridge can't blame anyone but himself and his bunch of one hit wonders
Kane
Guest
I'm looking forward to hearing what mattyb has to say about last night but he probably won't say anything because he only talks about Carlton
anon
Roar Pro
This year they've had a tougher draw, the umps aren't letting them throw the ball, guys like JJ and Libby think they're rock stars, ugly scrappy low scoring game plan. Don't forget that they don't win the prelim and don't win the grand final without umpires blowing numerous calls
Paul W
Guest
See, I told you, good bloke defence.
TN Args
Guest
Nothing like the Hodge blow. Night and day difference. Crazy to bring up the comparison. Also notice how Hodge spun around to the umpire with his arms spread wide, all innocence and shock, "What? What'd I do? You're gonna pay a free for that??" Whereas Tex was immediately and repeatedly remorseful. And if we are honest about his character, that would be completely genuine remorse too.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Shepherding through goals is a dud rule.
Mattician6x6
Guest
If the mrp saw fit to suspend Schofield then TeX might be in trouble. For what its worth I think he should get a fine and nothing more.
Paul W
Guest
A forceful push from a 100kg+ player into the goal post is staging ? I'd hate to see what you call some of Oliver and Vince's antics then.
Geoff Schaefer
Guest
I think the Dogs are about where they should be. Let's face it, they finished with 6 teams above them at the end of last season and may well be in a similar spot this year. I think they're a better than average team that just had a blindingly good September....
Geoff Schaefer
Guest
Spot on Dougie, nothing in it.
paulywalnuts
Guest
I'm serious. A weak act of staging is going to make any incident look worse.