Captain Easton Wood has credited his young side’s connection on the field after a strong finish to the season to secure their first finals berth since 2016.
Winning eight of their last 11 matches, the Bulldogs found a run of impressive form following the mid-season bye.
After struggling to capitalise on their opportunities in the first half of the season, Wood’s side found many avenues to goal in the latter half of the year, through a developing midfield and forward line.
“I’m so proud of the group and ecstatic to be into September, it’s really special,” Wood told Channel 7following the Dogs’ 34-point win over Adelaide at Mars Stadium.
“I think at the start of the year, our team was really great at generating inside 50s, but our efficiency going inside – particularly at the first half of the season – it just wasn’t there.
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“What’s been fantastic in the back half of the season since we’ve come back after the bye, is that we’ve really started to see the youth of the team really understand how to connect better, particularly forward of the ball.”
Wood praised the midfield group’s ability to win the ball at the source – led by prolific trio Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley – and to find connection with a developing forward line.
“Our midfielders are doing a great job in winning it in there and kicking to dangerous spots,” he said.
“The forwards are doing such a good job working together.
“We’ve seen what Aaron Naughton’s able to do when he’s flying for the ball, but he’s got teammates getting around him giving him blocks and the boys are really feeding at his feet.
“Everyone’s been able to chip in up there and I think that’s the reason why we’re hitting the scoreboard so prolifically at the moment.”
The Bulldogs will now face the GWS Giants in an elimination final at Giants Stadium.
“It’s nice to be heading back up (to Sydney) after a great game against (the Giants) last week and it’s just incredibly exciting to be in the finals and for this group to be in there, so I’m just really proud and very happy at the moment,” Wood said.
