Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge admits his tall ahead line appeared “disjointed” in the course of the round-one thrashing from Melbourne however he hasn’t given up hope on the experiment reaping rewards.
Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Sam Darcy and Rory Lobb all lined up on the MCG on Saturday evening in an attacking quartet labelled by media because the ‘Dinosaur Dogs’.
Naughton battled manfully and kicked 1.2, whereas Ugle-Hagan (1.3) additionally had possibilities to do injury on the scoreboard.
But teenager Darcy and new recruit Lobb have been hardly ever sighted, managing simply six disposals every.
The forwards weren’t helped by poor ball use from teammates underneath strain – each actual and perceived – additional up the bottom.
“Naughts competed like hell and did everything he could but we were a bit disjointed,” Beveridge mentioned.
“These are some of the teething problems with the two young bucks (Darcy and Ugle-Hagan).
“We simply have to work by way of it and work out whether or not we proceed to persevere with that method.”
The four talls were rarely all on the field at the same time, with one usually rotating through the bench.
It meant that the Bulldogs sacrificed a position that would have been used on a small or medium-sized utility player.
“You do not throw the newborn out with the tub water,” Beveridge mentioned.
“It’s a really small pattern measurement and we have performed one of many groups that everybody’s most likely tipping to be there on the finish of the yr,” Beveridge mentioned.
“We’ve received to course of that and we have simply received to construct confidence and perception into the boys that most likely did not have their greatest nights.
“They know that they’re better and more capable than probably what we gave tonight, but we didn’t help them too much with the way we used the footy at times.”
On a grimy evening for the Bulldogs, Liam Jones was substituted out earlier than halftime in his comeback sport following a collision in a marking contest.
Jones, who has returned to the Dogs after a stint with Carlton and a yr out of the AFL, was despatched for scans on his sore neck.
“We’re hoping it’s OK. I haven’t seen how it happened,” Beveridge mentioned.
“Taylor Duryea had one a couple of weeks ago and he was alright, so fingers crossed that he’ll be OK.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au