Coach Challenges Team to Improve in Contested Possessions
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has called on the less prominent players in his squad to step up and make a difference in the contested aspect of the game, following their unexpected loss to Carlton at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. The Blues dominated the Bulldogs in contested possessions, securing 140 to 109, which was a significant factor in their victory.
With two of the team’s top performers in this area, Tom Liberatore and Tim English, sidelined due to injuries, the responsibility once again fell on Marcus Bontempelli to lead the way. Bontempelli managed 11 contested possessions, but Beveridge emphasized that relying solely on the usual suspects is not a sustainable strategy for success.
“We can’t rely on the usual suspects to win that category in the columns,” Beveridge said. “We need more to be better at that side of it, so that’s part of our journey to progress in those facets. There are a number of boys who are finding their way with that.”
Beveridge pointed out that the discrepancy in contested possessions was one of the biggest he had seen in a long time. Historically, only one or two players have taken on this role for the Bulldogs, but those players are no longer part of the team. As a result, others need to step up and fill the gap.
“Until they do, we’re going to be a bit vulnerable,” he added.
Injuries and Lack of Competition Hinder Progress
Adding to Beveridge’s concerns is the lack of depth in the VFL squad, where he doesn’t believe there are many players eager to break into the senior team. This shortage of competition is making it difficult for the Bulldogs to improve in key areas of the game.
“We played a really disappointing game against Carlton at state-league level today as well,” Beveridge said. “We haven’t had a good day, and we’ve always been at our best when there’s been real competition for spots. That really isn’t there at the moment.”
The injury list for the Bulldogs continues to grow, with star ball winner Bailey Williams (hamstring) joining Sam Darcy (knee), English (concussion), Liberatore (concussion), James O’Donnell (hamstring), Cody Weightman (knee), and Laitham Vandermeer (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Struggles in the Final Quarter
The match against Carlton was a tough one for the Bulldogs, with the first three quarters being a scrappy and uneventful affair. The final quarter proved to be decisive, as Carlton kicked the first five goals of the quarter and dominated the inside 50s 19-4.
“I think we only had it inside our 50 twice (for the quarter) with about five or six minutes to go,” Beveridge said. “To think when the game was on line for them to come out of the centre bounce like they did and win the contested elements… the disappointing part about it is it wasn’t us who broke the shackles and came hard in that last quarter.”
Beveridge noted the clear difference in how the players were covering the ground and their ability to win contests at ground level. Even though the Bulldogs were leading for most of the game, it never felt like they were in a strong position to secure the win.
“Their endeavour was high. You could tell it was just a level above ours,” he said. “That’ll hurt the players all week.”
