Eade keen to stay a Dog
Rodney Eade says he wants to stay at the Western Bulldogs beyond this season
WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says he wants to extend his career at Whitten Oval beyond 2011, even if the goal of making the final eight isn't achieved this year.
Eade, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has pledged his commitment to the club and says he wants to be part of next year and beyond even if the Dogs miss the finals for the first time since 2007.
"That's what I want to do. I love coaching and there are some terrific people here but we'll have to wait and see," he told The Footy Show on Thursday night.
"There's high expectations and certainly this organisation, we want success and we're driven by success.
"At this stage, we're still striving to make the eight and that's what we want to do, and that's our whole focus.
"If we don't do that, I think as a coach, you get assessed on a whole range of things about developing lists, etcetera etcetera, and there can be extenuating circumstances.
"Certainly from my point of view, our focus is on the end of the year and if we don't make the finals, hopefully they know I'm here for the long haul, I want to be here, I've got belief in the club and belief in the list.
"The past two examples show we've been able to build lists and I think we can build this list pretty quickly."
Eade entered the season under pressure with president David Smorgon stating the Dogs needed to progress beyond the preliminary final hurdle, which they've fallen at over the past three years.
He also indicated a contract extension for Eade would be hard to come by if the club missed the eight altogether.
Eade said he still felt the support of both Smorgon and CEO Simon Garlick, and was confident they knew of his commitment to the club beyond this season.
"I think there's some smart and intelligent people who are good support at the moment. David [Smorgon] and Simon are terrific," he said.
"Those things are down the track but certainly from my point of view, I've got strong belief in the club."
The Bulldogs had a tough week following their humiliating 123-point loss to West Coast at Patersons Stadium on Sunday, which included a ferocious contested training session on Tuesday.
Eade admitted the club had been "embarrassed" by the landslide result and that the mantra this week had been focussed on "less talk" and more action.
"As a club we are [embarrassed]. It's across the board, right from the top right down to the boot-studder," he said.
"We're all involved together and I think we've all got to take some responsibility for it and we have to do something about it."
The Bulldogs now face Hawthorn on Sunday evening at Etihad Stadium, with the Hawks looking to win their fourth straight game.
The Dogs are looking to arrest their disappointing slide into 11th position, having won just one game from their past five starts.
Jennifer Witham covers Western Bulldogs' news for afl.com.au. Follower her on Twitter at AFL_JenWitham.