Vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli says the chemistry between the Western Bulldogs’ forward line and midfield is still a work in progress.
The Bulldogs have been competitive in most matches this season, despite sitting 15th on the ladder with a 5-8 win loss record, and sit ninth in the competition for scoring.
But not capitalising on periods of momentum in games, where the Bulldogs have had control of the ball and the inside-50 count, have proved costly.
Bontempelli said that connection was still a work in progress.
Teenager Aaron Naughton has been swung forward in 2019 to become a focal point in attack, booting 18 goals, while the Bulldogs’ leading goal-kicker – Sam Lloyd (22) – is in his first year in red, white and blue.
Billy Gowers, Tory Dickson and Toby McLean have spent significant time forward, while Josh Schache has been in and out of the side, and Matt Suckling being swung forward.
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Midfielders such as Bontempelli, Josh Dunkley, Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore have also been called upon as forward options.
“I think overall, our forward line’s probably our least experienced line across the board,” Bontempelli told RSN’s Breakfast Club.
“There’s been a little bit of change throughout the forward line throughout the course of this year.
“Some of it for me talks a bit about chemistry and trying to build the chemistry between the midfield and forwards and being able to then capitalize on our momentum at times.”
Conversion has also been a focus point for the Bulldogs.
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They had 23 scoring shots to Collingwood’s 17 on Sunday afternoon – and this season have kicked more behinds than goals in eight of 13 matches.
“Finishing’s also been the other thing – that’s also been across the league a little bit down, and there’s been strong commentary around that with the intensity going up and the skill level going dropping off a tiny bit,” Bontempelli said.
“For us going forward, we’ve just got to be able to score and get more from our hard work up the ground.
“It does hurt you throughout the game because you lose energy or patches of momentum because you’re not scoring, and then teams go up the other end and score. It was a bit like that on the weekend.”
