DISAPPOINTING is a word which has become dangerously synonymous with the Western Bulldogs over the last fortnight.
 
A 101-point thumping at the hands of Geelong last weekend and a 44-point loss to the Swans - not to mention injuries to two key players - mean it could get a lot worse.

And Robert Murphy wasn't pulling any punches when he indicated there were zero positives for his side.

"I'll let you know when the dust settles, but right now I can't think of too many," said Murphy.

“Last week was really a big disappointment with the big blowout but tonight was pretty disappointing as well.”

Murphy refused to get drawn into a debate about where the Bulldogs’ form is at.

"That's probably for other people. I don't want to get too melodramatic about it," he said.

"We've got one week to go before a finals campaign and we just need to get things right. The temptation is to go on about where we're at and how bad things are but I'd rather not to be honest."

Touted at stages throughout the season as premiership contenders, the Bulldogs have been outgunned of late and if they are going to get things back on track they have to beat Essendon next weekend and do so convincingly.

When asked about how important that win would be Murphy responded with a question.
"How much would you like to win lotto?"

But Murphy denies desperation had crept into the camp, saying the premiership was not at the mercy of the big three of Geelong, Collingwood and St Kilda.

"I think this season is wide open; I don't think it is closed off," he said.

"The top eight is set up, I know a lot of people say top four and all that but you just need to get on a roll at the right time."

If there is a team capable of getting on a roll it looks to be the Swans. Their last three weeks include victories over Hawthorn, Fremantle to move to fifth, and Murphy was not shocked by the way they played.

"I'm not surprised, they are a great club, a good footy team and they showed us up tonight."