Western Bulldogs defender Buku Khamis says last week’s win over Carlton was a confidence-booster, not only for himself but for the team.
Barring an inaccurate first quarter, the Bulldogs were clinical against the Blues – eventually triumphing by 14 points in a classic at Marvel Stadium.
Khamis said when the team defence is firing, everything else falls into place.
“When we play our best footy, when our team defence is on point and when we're all helping each other in defence - I think everything just flows from there,” he told RSN on Thursday morning.
“It's just trying to find that consistency and trying to bring our best footy on a weekly basis – not bring it out for two weeks and then have another down couple of weeks.
“That's been our biggest challenge (this season).”
Khamis executed his role on Charlie Curnow effectively, keeping the two-time Coleman Medallist to 3.7.
He said a lot of work leading into the game helped set him up.
“I was quite nervous, just like any other game to be honest - I thought we really had to have an emphasis on working together (in defence) and just being really strong in our 1v1s when we're not able to help each other,” Khamis said.
“Daniel Pratt, our backline coach, did a really good job in helping me look at some vision, showing Lobby and myself how (Carlton’s forwards) move and what sort of patterns they do.
“When we got there on game-day, we weren't too dissimilar to what they were doing. Then it just came down to our craft and how strong we had to be in our 1v1s.
“It’s definitely a confidence booster, that's for sure. It’s just reassuring to know that you belong at the level – and if you bring your best, you're able to compete with the best.
“It was really good and hopefully just flows into the rest of the year now.”
Despite having the versatility to be swung forward, Khamis said he felt settled in the backline.
“I feel the backline is where I play my best footy,” he said.
“Every week whenever I go out there, I just feel more and more confident.
“My teammates help me grow as well as the coaches in Daniel Pratt and Bevo as well.”
The Bulldogs’ next challenge will come against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
“I mean every week is a big challenge, especially from here if we want to make finals,” Khamis said.
“For me it’s the same every week – just playing with confidence, working together with my teammates and just being really, really physical in the 1v1 contests. Everything flows from there.”
