The Western Bulldogs’ competitive performances will translate into results with a few minor tweaks, defender Jason Johannisen says.
After four rounds, the Dogs have a 2-2 record, with wins against Sydney and Hawthorn to start the season followed by narrow losses to the Gold Coast Suns and Collingwood.
But Johannisen believes overall the Dogs are tracking in the right direction.
“We feel like we’re in control of most of the games we’ve played,” he told media at VU Whitten Oval this morning.
“It’s just taking our opportunities going forward. If we can put in that four-quarter effort, we think we can beat anyone.
“We’ve been right in the mix in all four games. It’s just a bit of technical stuff we need to fix up… but we’re 2-2 now and we’re keen to get back on the winning list.”
Johannisen said finding the right avenues going forward was one focus area heading into Sunday’s match against Carlton.
The Dogs have gone inside 50 more than any other team in the competition, but sit 12th for goals scored.
“Obviously we’ve got heaps of improvement to go and we’re working on it week-by-week… we’ve just got to focus on each week as it comes,” Johannisen said of the team’s development.
“I know it’s a cliché, but that’s our mindset.”
“They’ve (Carlton) been so competitive in their first four games, but the competition’s so even this year and you have to play your best each week to get a win. Obviously we’ve lost our last two, so we’re keen to get back on the winning list.
The star defender made his return from an ankle injury on Friday night, collecting 25 disposals and five rebound-50s to have an impact against the Pies.
He feels like he will get better with each match as he builds back from an interrupted pre-season.
“A lot of credit to the physios and the high performance staff, they put a great program in for me to come straight back in,” Johannisen said.
“I still think I’m a couple of weeks off from getting that full match fitness, but it was good to be back with the boys.
“I felt a little bit unfit, but you can’t really get that match fitness in your training. It will take me a couple of games to get that peak fitness, but I felt pretty good out there and pulled up really well.”
