Defender Lukas Markovic says Saturday’s clash with Richmond, the Western Bulldogs final practice match of the pre-season, will be focussed on bedding down team structures and finding consistency across the near full-strength side.
The second pre-season under senior coach Brendan McCartney was built around further education on team structures and building the fitness and strength across the group.
“We have learnt a lot again over the pre-season… I think we are adapting well to the structures and it is just [looking] for a constant improvement as well,” Markovic said.
“I don’t think we are going to go into the game worrying about the opposition too much.”
With a number of personal bests achieved in both fitness and strength testing this pre-season, Markovic said the young, developing group would be better equipped to deal with the rigours of senior football for the full four quarters.
“I think everyone has pretty much improved on their fitness levels and running capacities, so it has been a pretty good pre-season in that regard,” he said.
“Guys are also making good gains in the gym, so I think we can take a fair bit of confidence out of that.”
Markovic has also been impressed with the young group’s enthusiasm to be accountable and help bear the weight of the responsibility across the team.
“It is quite a young group but I think everyone is really willing to put their hand up and hold a lot of responsibility,” he said.
“There’s no help coming and this is the group we have got and we have to learn to deal with that when we are under the pump.”
The 26-year-old has spent the pre-season working in tandem with fellow key defender Jordan Roughead to build some cohesion in the new look back six and is excited for one last opportunity to settle their roles against Richmond.
“I’m looking forward to another opportunity to put in place our structures and have another hitout,” he said.
The Western Bulldogs will face Richmond in a final practice match at VISY Park on Saturday, with the first bounce scheduled for 2pm.
