Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge will implore his team to enjoy all that comes with the lead-in to a Grand Final, after his team marched into the season decider emphatically on Saturday night.
The Bulldogs’ quest to win a Premiership from outside the top four, with the intense travel schedule and quarantine restrictions thrown in, is just one win away.
Beveridge has spoken repeatedly about his admiration for the Bulldogs players’ efforts in their three finals wins so far, and he believes they’ve earned the right to soak up what this opportunity means to them, the Club and their incredible legion of members and fans.
The Dogs have now won 2021 finals in three different states – Tasmania, Queensland and South Australia, and they’ll be looking to add Western Australia to that list on September 25.
“Being in this position, it is a time to enjoy the lead-in to a Grand Final,” Beveridge told media after the Club’s 71-point victory over Port Adelaide.
“We’ll train and we’ll prepare extremely well for a formidable Melbourne side. But we’ll enjoy the lead-up. It is a time to celebrate the fact that our players have provided an opportunity for our footy club to win another flag.
“Now that it goes for two weeks, you’ve got a little more time to enjoy it, anticipate it, and our players will feel really good about that, in what they’ve all done.”
Beveridge said the team has played with more and more freedom as the Finals Series has gone on, after heading into the post-season under a form cloud.
“We put ourselves under a hell of a lot of pressure coming into the first final against Essendon,” Beveridge said.
“That’s significant as well, to be able to weather that storm.
“Last week was a game where ultimately there was a bit of good fortune. I think tonight we probably played with a little bit more freedom. Maybe the pressure of the first few finals was reduced a little bit.
“But what a night to find that sense of freedom and vigour in our play. I’m just so moved by what the players did, and very grateful once again.”
