Captain Marcus Bontempelli says he is remaining optimistic about the 2022 season, despite the Bulldogs’ inconsistent start.
After eight rounds, the Bulldogs sit in 10th spot on the ladder with three wins – making Friday night’s clash against the ninth-placed Collingwood even more important.
“I’m always going to be quite optimistic and positive about where we can take things – it’s clear that the season hasn’t started where we’d like it to be, so you can paint a pretty bleak picture, but it’s quite different internally,” Bontempelli told AFL 360 on Tuesday night.
“We know that things aren’t always going to be perfect – you do aim for perfection, but you’ve also got to understand you can’t always get that.
“We’re a little bit off where we’ve been previously, and for different reasons we haven’t been able to get back to that point from last year.
“As we search for a new level and new best, we’re trying to understand why that is. There’s a number of things – it’s not always just one thing – but I do believe that obviously we’re capable of more and will be able to produce that.”
While the Bulldogs’ injury list continues to grow substantially, Bontempelli said he was choosing to focus on the opportunity it presents for others to come in and prove themselves.
“Personnel definitely makes a difference, and while it’s not really an excuse for us, it is real when you have experienced players come out,” he said.
“The opportunities that (injuries) create for others to explore their best, and explore the opportunity for them to develop their games - that’ll be the silver lining and situation out of this game. There’ll be players who get to play and get to prove themselves as AFL footballers.
“Filling those boys with belief and confidence is a big part of what I do.”
Bontempelli was managed in the Bulldogs’ round eight loss to Port Adelaide, but confirmed he would be back in the line-up for the Robert Rose Cup this week.
The final team will be confirmed at 6.20pm on Thursday night.
