Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is decided to make sure his aspect does not underestimate St Kilda’s makeshift ahead line of their AFL conflict.
Operating with out attacking mainstays Max King and Tim Membrey, who’re sidelined with accidents, the Saints kicked simply 10 targets and ranked twelfth for scoring in spherical one.
But it was sufficient to upset a woefully inefficient Fremantle as returned coach Ross Lyon’s defence held agency.
Beveridge is cautious of the Saints’ inexperienced ahead combine, led by second-year participant Mitch Owens and round-one debutants Mattaes Phillipou and Anthony Caminiti.
Former Bulldogs backman Zaine Cordy has additionally been briefly moved ahead by St Kilda after being recruited to bolster their defence.
“They did an amazing job with a bit of a makeshift set-up and some young guys who haven’t played much footy,” Beveridge mentioned.
“Sometimes that can really bite you, and it obviously bit Fremantle last week, so we’ll respect that and be prepared for it.”
The Bulldogs will likely be with out gun midfielder Adam Treloar (hamstring) and key recruit Rory Lobb (ankle) at Marvel Stadium on Saturday evening.
But key defender Liam Jones has been cleared of a neck damage by specialists and can take his place within the back-line alongside fellow talls Alex Keath and Josh Bruce.
Beveridge urged the trio to say their authority in opposition to the younger St Kilda forwards.
“You hope your players go out with the right combative attitude in a disciplined way,” Beveridge mentioned.
“I won’t be instructing them to go out and take any perceived advantage from the youth and inexperience.
“But I’ll anticipate our guys to exit and personal their positions and play an adversarial recreation to make sure that performs on the opposition’s thoughts greater than ours.
“We need to start on the right foot with that.”
Beveridge conceded the Bulldogs shot themselves within the foot with poor ball-use and decision-making all through their round-one thrashing from Melbourne.
“The boys have really turned their minds towards making sure we get a better result with that,” Beveridge mentioned.
“Part of that will be striking a balance forward of centre, making sure our choices and who we go to and how are ultimately better than they were last week.”
Bulldogs 2016 premiership star Jason Johannisen was a big-name casualty from the round-one thrashing, dropped to the reserves to seek out type.
Johannisen, who thought of leaving Whitten Oval on the finish of final yr, had little impression as a ahead in opposition to Melbourne after an interrupted pre-season.
Mitch Hannan has additionally been dropped with Rhylee West, Riley Garcia and defender Hayden Crozier returning.
St Kilda recalled fit-again midfielder Seb Ross after Jack Bytel (knee) and Jimmy Webster (hand) had been added to their lengthy damage listing.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
