Watch Skills Development Coach Rohan Smith on the media player above as he dissects Sunday’s game against Geelong in the latest BulldogsTV Weekly Wrap.
The Good
The ability of the young Bulldogs’ line-up to match the reigning premiers Geelong in the second half of Sunday’s contests was a key positive from the match according to Skills Development Coach Rohan Smith. While second half fadeouts have let the Dogs down in recent weeks, their efforts on Sunday after the main change were spirited and highly competitive. Both teams kicked eight goals apiece after half time, with the Bulldogs winning the third term.
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Area for Improvement
Geelong got off to a fast start against the Dogs on Sunday while the away side took a while to find their feet. Smith identifies this as the main area for improvement and something the team will look into this week. The Cats were 31 points in front by half time with their competitive, well drilled outfit often denying the Dogs of the ball through effective and uncontested possessions.
Stat that Mattered
Turning the ball over proved costly for the Dogs on Sunday, with Geelong’s goals from turnovers the telling stat. Geelong kicked five goals directly from Bulldogs turnovers. Remove those easy opposition goals and the margin would have indeed been close come full time.
Player of the Day
While the efforts of Ryan Griffen, Nathan Djerrkura and Lin Jong were lauded by Smith, Bulldogs skipper Matthew Boyd was declared player of the day. Boyd’s 46 possessions at 80% disposal efficiency is nothing to shrug at while he was also highly influential with eight clearances. Within the captain’s mammoth possession tally, Boyd amassed the most effective disposals in a game by any player in the league this season.
