westernbulldogs.com.au identifies the key takeaways from Senior Coach Luke Beveridge's press conference ahead of Sunday's clash with Port Adelaide in Ballarat.
Injuries equals opportunities
While the Dogs’ have been hit by injury this season it’s opened the door to some young players to get their chance and this week it’s 20-year-old Fergus Greene.
“It's a bit of a revolving door at times but it creates opportunities for others and obviously
Fergus Greene playing his first game is always exciting.
Watch: Fergus Greene guernesy presentation
“It gives everyone a spring in their step with any new debutante.”
-
Fortress Ballarat
The Dogs will travel to Mars Stadium for the second time this season and will be looking to make it two from two in 2018.
“We'll go to Ballarat where we really look forward to playing; bringing the regional centre in and getting our fans to travel if they can and come to watch us.
“We've won the last two there, which has been good and ultimately over time we'd like to turn it into a place where it's very difficult for opposition sides to come and beat us.
“We’ll take a squad down, we'll spend Saturday night there, we'll prepare well and give ourselves a chance to beat Port Adelaide.”
-
Honeychurch update
Honeychurch was involved in a heavy collision with Eagles captain Shannon Hurn last weekend but has recovered well and will face the Power.
“He's good. I think when the incident happened, there's a whole range of scenarios isn't there. I think the most extreme is a significant concussion, he's been knocked out, and there's some concerns.
“But ultimately what happened, he copped the hit, he was a little bit stunned, they were more concerned about his neck than anything, they took precautions with a neck brace and off on the stretcher.”
“He had some scans, everything was fine, his neck was fine. He was a little bit sore from the bump in the shoulder and around the neck but everything was ok, he flew home with us and he's right as rain.”
“He did have the cog state test but he passed with flying colours and so he'll play.”
-
Smith/Collins car accident
The pair were involved in a collision on their way to training on Friday morning.
“Roarke Smith and Kieran Collins were involved in a car accident, they're both fine, but Roarke wont' play, we've pulled him out of the team.
“(They were) just turning and a car coming through the other way collected them and they've been in for observation and had some tests. The early news d prognosis is that they're ok.
“Roarke's got a cut on his head but they've been shaken up.
“Hopefully (they’ll miss just the one week) but it's a bit early. The early reports are saying that they're ok but we'll need to know more.”
