The Western Bulldogs have their sights set on a uncommon top-four end, and it might include Rory Lobb inflicting complications on the wing.
The Bulldogs have received six of their previous seven video games to rocket to sixth on the AFL ladder.
Their sizzling streak will probably be put to the take a look at on Saturday once they host the resurgent Crows in Ballarat.
The Bulldogs haven’t completed the common season within the prime 4 since 2010, with their outstanding 2016 flag coming from a seventh-placed end.
Collingwood, Melbourne, Brisbane and Port Adelaide at present sit within the prime 4, with the Bulldogs a win and proportion adrift of fourth spot.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge needs to goal excessive with out getting carried away this early within the season.
“It is only round nine, so I don’t want to start talking about the pointy end of the season,” Beveridge informed reporters on Tuesday.
“Going into every year we’ve got designs on finishing top four, so nothing changes for us.
“We’ve got designs on it. Whether we can get there is another thing.
“We’ll give it our all to get there.”
Lobb has endured a sluggish begin to his life on the Bulldogs, booting simply 10 objectives throughout his first eight matches.
The former Fremantle and GWS spearhead frolicked on the wing in final week’s 20-point win over Carlton, and completed with two objectives, seven hitouts, 4 marks and eight disposals.
Beveridge is eager to unleash Lobb on the wing once more at levels this yr.
“It’s something we’ve been planning to do for a little while,” Beveridge mentioned.
“He’s obviously one of the tallest wingers to ever go around.
“History shows that it can cause opposition teams some headaches if the player can play the role according to plan, and the game can play out a certain way in his favour and in our favour.
“We’ll definitely keep it there in our player role kit.”
Josh Bruce is an opportunity to play this week after recovering from rib injury he suffered in spherical 5, however Beveridge mentioned it was unlikely to be at AFL degree.
Midfielder Adam Treloar is about two weeks away, whereas Sam Darcy is making sluggish progress from a gap in his lung.
“It’s just going to be gradual,” Beveridge mentioned of Darcy.
“He’s still on a low-level training program not doing a lot, so it’s going to take some time.”
Beveridge mentioned final week’s debutant James O’Donnell would doubtless maintain his spot for the sport towards Adelaide, who upset St Kilda by 52 factors final week.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
