TonyK
CibbuanoDogs showed character: Eade
September 12th 2008 22:41
WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said his side showed tremendous character in rebounding from last week's 51-point mauling at the hands of Hawthorn in the qualifying final to defeat Sydney by 37 points in the second semi-final at the MCG on Friday night.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Eade said the result showed that the Dogs deserved to be in the top four despite a recent run of six losses in eight games
"Obviously we didn't play very well last week and it was very disappointing, and people were circling and even some of our supporters jumped off a bit, which was also disappointing," he said.
"I think they showed character with the way they played and being able to not let last week's result engulf them, and with a lack of finals experience, to be able to do what they did and bounce back like they did.
The Bulldogs will now meet reigning premiers Geelong in a preliminary final next weekend - a team that has won 41 of its past 43 matches and thrashed the Dogs by 61 points in their only meeting this year.
But Eade said it's not a fait accompli that the Cats will make the grand final.
"Anything can happen in a two-horse race. You can't beat them if you're not there," he said.
"We'll go in with, and rightfully so, no one picking us, and that's fine because they're a great team.
"But anything can happen and there will be no pressure on us from that aspect.
"We've just got to play our way and back ourselves."
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Eade said the result showed that the Dogs deserved to be in the top four despite a recent run of six losses in eight games
"Obviously we didn't play very well last week and it was very disappointing, and people were circling and even some of our supporters jumped off a bit, which was also disappointing," he said.
"I think they showed character with the way they played and being able to not let last week's result engulf them, and with a lack of finals experience, to be able to do what they did and bounce back like they did.
The Bulldogs will now meet reigning premiers Geelong in a preliminary final next weekend - a team that has won 41 of its past 43 matches and thrashed the Dogs by 61 points in their only meeting this year.
But Eade said it's not a fait accompli that the Cats will make the grand final.
"Anything can happen in a two-horse race. You can't beat them if you're not there," he said.
"We'll go in with, and rightfully so, no one picking us, and that's fine because they're a great team.
"But anything can happen and there will be no pressure on us from that aspect.
"We've just got to play our way and back ourselves."
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