Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge spoke to the media on Friday ahead of his side’s match against Hawthorn on Saturday night. Here, westernbulldogs.com.au take a look at some of the key takeaways.
The return of Shane Biggs
He’s played just three senior games this year but Luke Beveridge said Biggs will be given every chance to re-cement his spot back in the first 22.
“He's definitely a long term player for our football club so there's no pressure as far as his long term future goes.
“Each week with Shane and a couple of others, there's always that pressure to perform so he'll feel that a little bit but we've give him every chance to settle and find his way through the game.
“It's really important for us that Biggsy finds his best form at the level because he's been a significant contributor for us over the last few years.
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What’s changed?
There’s been an uptick in the Dogs’ performance over the past couple of weeks; here the coach talks about the side playing well over a longer period.
“During different games we've showed that we've played reasonable footy for a quarter and a half and then we've been overrun by some very good side.
“Obviously the complexion of the side has evolved and changed over the course of the year and what we're finding, and it was difficult against Port because of some injuries, but we've been able to sustain the performance for a bit longer and so whether or not that's just the boys learning to play together…
“The make-up of the team was very, very different last week, so it's combination of adventure, a combination of definitely a youthful energy, and a no-consequences type of approach to the game that is probably a little bit easier when you are down in the bottom rungs of the ladder.”
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Who’s got Mitchell?
The Hawthorn midfielder has had 50 or more possessions three times. No other player has done it more than once.
“Part of our approach in recent times is to make sure some of our younger midfielders like Dunks and Bailey Williams get some contact with some experienced midfielders and learn a little bit from what they're doing as well.
“Josh will no doubt spend some time on Tom and we'll try and get some benefits out of that.
“How much you can limit him.. he's become so prolific as an accumulator and I think this year too, he's been more damaging with his possession and his run, not to say he wasn't in the past, but even more damaging than he has been.
“We'll do our best to limit his impact on the game and that might be through more than one mechanism.”
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Lynch on debut
Beveridge on Brad Lynch’s promising debut against the Cats.
“After he laid that first tackle he settled and we saw what his strengths are.
It's been a long time for Lynchy, he's had some hamstring injuries and it’s been pretty difficult for a young kid coming from south WA, down there in Mandurah, and acclimatizing here in Victoria and finding a way, so he's done a good job even when there's been question marks over his future.
We were reasonably excited by how well he played last week.
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On Cyril
The Hawks’ star retired during the week and Beveridge paid tribute.
“I think we all felt a degree of sadness that such a unique and lovable player in our game has hung up the boots.
“There's probably no player we've seen play the game who's had the same degree of agility and speed and scope to impact the game with very few involvements.
“Quite often the game comes down to a few moments in the end and over time Cyril has been able to produce those and I think, Bob (Murphy) mentioned on radio, how vulnerable you feel if you're playing on him or near him, and I understand that.
“It's sad in many ways but he's given so much to the game and I know how much (Alastair Clarkson) loves him and how much his teammates and all the coaches and staff over there tadore him for what he's done for his team.
“Here at the Doggies we've got nothing but admiration and respect for his contribution. We wish him all the best for his future and hopefully at some point I can get up and visit him and catch a Barramundi or two.”
