For the second successive week, the Western Bulldogs have been left to rue periods of inconsistency within games, which have denied them a chance of victory against two of the AFL’s top-four teams.
Last week, it was a dominant third quarter which set up a win for Port Adelaide, and on Saturday night against Brisbane, a 15-minute stretch in the second term saw the Dogs concede five straight goals.
It was the difference between the sides in a 24-point loss, which left the Bulldogs outside the top eight with a 5-6 record.
Outside of those two lapses, the Dogs have shown an ability to match it with a couple of the competition frontrunners.
“We’ve played six okay quarters against Port Adelaide and Brisbane, and two diabolical ones that have cost us both games,” coach Luke Beveridge said after the game.
“That’s where we sit. We’re immature. We’re not able to drive for the 90 to 100 minutes that the game requires at the moment.
“We’re honest with ourselves in that. Our players know it. They’re beating themselves up over it a little bit.
“It’s my duty and our inspiration to support them and to drive them, and sometimes be a little bit hard on them, to find a four quarter output, which we haven’t been able to find much at all.
“We’re impatient. We want our players to be impatient. We’re trying to grow up quickly, we’re trying to be a better side quickly. We’re frustrating ourselves.”
After a hectic two weeks of football during the AFL’s condensed fixture period, the Bulldogs will have eight and six-day breaks before their next two matches, against Adelaide and Melbourne.
And with just six games left in the shortened 2020 season, the Bulldogs will look to get their year back on track quickly.
“There’s not much wiggle room now. We couldn’t afford to drop too many more if we think we can be there at the end of the year,” Beveridge said.
“We’ve got a bit of a longer break this week. We’ll be able to train. We’ll look at a few things, and our ambition will be to improve again next Sunday.”
