In a side light on experience, the coach needed some young players to step up. And that's what they did.
The result wasn’t what Luke Beveridge was looking for, but he would have been delighted with the performance of some of his young Dogs against the high-powered Cats on Friday night.
With veterans Matthew Boyd, Dale Morris and Matthew Suckling missing through injury, it was up to some of the Dogs’ younger core to step up and take some responsibility, and that’s exactly what they did.
Boyd played his best game of the year, picking up 18 disposals to go along with three goals and seven score involvements, and Dunkley’s bravery and sense of occasion was on display all night long.
But it was Zaine Cordy who stood out to the coach, his relentless attack on the football epitomizing the spirit of this young Dogs’ outfit.
Speaking to ABC Grandstand on Saturday, coach Luke Beveridge said he’d been hoping to bring Cordy in for his third career game earlier in the season, but injury had held him back.
“I’ve spoken to him a few times over the course of the year, and we were planning on bringing him in but he’s been injured at training, believe it or not,” Beveridge said.
“We needed to have a tall up there to keep their intercept defenders occupied and he played a role down there in the last half."
The former father-son selection amassed 11 disposals at an impressive 90.9%, as well as seven one-percenters, the fourth highest number on the ground.
He even snuck forward for his first career goal.
"We were pleasantly surprised with what he contributed…it was good to bring him in.”
Take a.look back at the best moments from our practice match against Essendon at Mission Whitten Oval
02:52
O'Donnell and Dale on our home away from home
James O'Donnell and Bailey Dale speak to the media at Mars Stadium in Ballarat, following the news of our 3 year partnership extension with Mars Wrigley.
04:22
Brendon Lade | "Good to get experience into the whole squad"
Midfield coach Brendon Lade speaks to the media following our pre-season match simulation at Mission Whitten Oval.
02:08
Joel Freijah | 'Good to have a hit out against opposition'
Hear from Joel following the pre-season match sim against Essendon
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