Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge could not assist however really feel wistful when watching his former cost Josh Dunkley present a blueprint for the way to deal with Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps.
Dunkley, who moved north to Queensland over the low season, restricted the Brownlow medallist to simply 17 touches whereas racking up 33 disposals and 13 tackles within the Brisbane Lions’ 26-point win over the Blues final Friday.
Ahead of the Bulldogs’ conflict Saturday conflict with Carlton at Marvel Stadium, Beveridge was requested whether or not he would draw inspiration from Dunkley’s efforts.
“He played a terrific game,” Beveridge stated.
“We’ve watched every stoppage basically. We saw that Cripps went to Lachie Neale a lot out of the contest and so there was some freedom to Josh’s game as well as the accountability, which he really capitalised on and was influential in their win.
“Josh is a really, excellent participant. That’s why we did not wish to lose him.
“Each time Fages (Brisbane coach Chris Fagan) says, ‘Our recruiters have done a great job’, it’s just another sort of dagger to the heart.
“We know they have one and so hopefully our troops will play actually influential video games but in addition quell the affect of their midfield as a result of it isn’t simply Patrick.
“We know they’ve got a number of very, very capable and match-winning mids in there, so that’s going to be a real battle within the battle.”
The Bulldogs will probably be determined to release small ahead Cody Weightman, who has been vital defensively however kicked only one purpose in his previous two video games and is more likely to face one other lockdown small ahead in Nic Newman.
“Cody will get his rewards at some point around score assists and his own scores,” Beveridge stated.
“But we do need to make sure that … he’s not a sitting duck. Because he’s getting sat on for a reason, because he can be a very influential player.
“We must make it possible for we give him the instruments and ensure he is obtained even a multi-role strategy to his sport to assist him by the tough components.”
Ex-cricketer James O’Donnell will debut just 35 days after signing on as a category B rookie with the Bulldogs.
The son of former Australia cricketer and ex-St Kilda player Simon O’Donnell, 20-year-old James has impressed in the VFL.
“It stunned us that every thing we threw at him, he was in a position to handle,” Beveridge stated.
“We’ve been in a position to faculty him in a few roles.
“That’s the beauty of him, he’s pretty versatile. So we’ll put him in the mix somewhere.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
