Luke Beveridge faced the media following the Bulldogs' 49-point loss to Melbourne on Saturday and westernbulldogs.com.au breaks down the key takeaways.
1. The wrap up
The Dogs started well, applying the pressure and kicking the first three before the Demons wrestled control and ran away with the win. Beveridge reflected on what went wrong.
“(We) went in with a good plan that was executed well, got off to a good start, and then our ball use was really marginal, really disappointing, and then allowed them to rebound to the open side.
“I think they kicked eight goals and a few points from their back half from us not being able to contain the ball and not being able to connect.”
“Even snaps over our shoulder in open play, just things you get from young players that will be ironed out pretty quickly.”
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2. Ball use
Skill errors were a big part of why the Dogs let Melbourne get away on Saturday, and Beveridge was asked why the thought that was the case.
“Part of it is the individual and their capability.
“At times there is a little bit of composure, or lack of composure attached to it, (and) fatigue creeps in with younger players.
“Melbourne’s pressure’s been really good this year, so you acknowledge that and give them some credit there but some of those plays where we were in open field and, they look promising and we should be scoring, then it’s purely skill and decision and maybe a little bit of fatigue.”
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3. A 'glimmer' of September hope
The Dogs sat in 14th spot on the ladder at the conclusion of Saturday’s match, but Beveridge has backed his team to find some wins in the second half of the season.
“I think in the back half of this season I still believe there is no reason why we can’t pick it up and have a run at it.
“There’s still a glimmer there, and people will say, what are you talking about, but that’s the way I think.“
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4. Tory Dickson
The sharp-shooter grabbed his hamstring late in the first term and wasn’t seen again. The coach wasn’t able to provide an update immediately post-match. The Club will provide the full assessment on Monday.
“He’s hurt his hamstring, that’s as much as I know. I don’t know the extent of it.
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5. What’s next
The Dogs now head into the bye with a trip to Adelaide to come on Thursday week. Beveridge gives an insight into what the time-off will look like.
“I think everyone will need a break. The worst thing we can do with a young group is … we want to get the most out of ourselves in the last 11 games and it will be a mistake to expect them to stay in the game.
“They should clear their head, they should get away, they should enjoy themselves, and we want them to enjoy their time in the game and enjoy their time playing together.
“They would have enjoyed parts of tonight’s game until Melbourne ramped it up and we put ourselves under pressure. We play on the Thursday, so we haven’t got long when we get back to prepare for that because we play Port Adelaide in Adelaide.”
