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CibbuanoDogs not panicking: Murphy
August 20th 2008 06:19
THE Western Bulldogs are not panicking despite losing four of their past five matches, according to classy forward Robert Murphy.
Despite the late season slump Dogs are still guaranteed of finishing either second or third and facing Hawthorn in the qualifying final.
But Murphy said it was important for the Bulldogs to go into the finals in good form.
"We have got two weeks to play some quality football before the finals," Murphy said.
"You want to go into the finals with a fair bit of momentum but we have built up a fair amount of momentum over the last 12 months and while we have lost that a bit over the last few weeks, we have got plenty of time to get it right."
"No-one is panicking, we will stick to what we know and we know we can turn it around."
"Some results haven't gone our way and we have had some dips along the way but we are ready to come out of it."
Meanwhile, the Dogs will resist the temptation to rush veteran midfielder Scott West back into the side.
The 33-year-old, who has not played since round six made his comeback in the VFL last week following knee problems.
Bulldogs assistant coach Peter Dean said the 33-year-old was likely to play at least one more match in the VFL before earning a recall.
"He's still got a bit of residual soreness from it but he'll soldier on and we'll hope he comes up for us," Dean said.
"He needs to perform, he needs to get through games, and (then) he'll come into consideration."
Dean also said key defender Tom Williams, who has been sidelined since round 13 with shoulder and thigh injuries was on track to return to the side next week.
"Tommy won't play this week, he'll play the following week barring any setbacks," Dean said.
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Despite the late season slump Dogs are still guaranteed of finishing either second or third and facing Hawthorn in the qualifying final.
But Murphy said it was important for the Bulldogs to go into the finals in good form.
"We have got two weeks to play some quality football before the finals," Murphy said.
"You want to go into the finals with a fair bit of momentum but we have built up a fair amount of momentum over the last 12 months and while we have lost that a bit over the last few weeks, we have got plenty of time to get it right."
"No-one is panicking, we will stick to what we know and we know we can turn it around."
"Some results haven't gone our way and we have had some dips along the way but we are ready to come out of it."
Meanwhile, the Dogs will resist the temptation to rush veteran midfielder Scott West back into the side.
The 33-year-old, who has not played since round six made his comeback in the VFL last week following knee problems.
Bulldogs assistant coach Peter Dean said the 33-year-old was likely to play at least one more match in the VFL before earning a recall.
"He's still got a bit of residual soreness from it but he'll soldier on and we'll hope he comes up for us," Dean said.
"He needs to perform, he needs to get through games, and (then) he'll come into consideration."
Dean also said key defender Tom Williams, who has been sidelined since round 13 with shoulder and thigh injuries was on track to return to the side next week.
"Tommy won't play this week, he'll play the following week barring any setbacks," Dean said.
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