TonyK
CibbuanoEade backs Johnson, Welsh
September 11th 2008 03:32
WESTERN BULLDOGS coach Rodney Eade is confident forwards Brad Johnson and Scott Welsh will return to form in Friday night’s cut-throat semi-final against Sydney at the MCG.
Johnson and Welsh failed to have an impact in the Bulldogs’ 51-point loss to Hawthorn in last Friday night’s second qualifying final, booting just one goal between them.
Welsh has kicked just four goals in the past five games but Eade the 29-year-old’s experience ensured he remained in the side for this week.
"We spoke about Scott but he kicked five against them (Sydney) the last time (in round 18) and while there has been a game or two since where he hasn't kicked a lot of goals, he has had 17 or 18 possessions playing further up the field but his last two or three games have been down," Eade said.
"But the thing about Scott is he has got finals experience, he is a talented player and he can kick goals and take marks so I think with the way he can play, he would stay in the side."
Eade also admitted that Johnson has struggled in the past fortnight but said he was confident that the Bulldogs skipper would bounce back.
"Brad has been down the last couple of weeks - he copped that bad knock in Adelaide (in round 22) where he had six staples in his head so that affected him and like a lot of us, he was down last week."
"But you can't just point the finger at Brad."
"Brad has got a lot of pride and he has led the team very well this year so I would imagine he would bounce back as well."
Johnson and Welsh failed to have an impact in the Bulldogs’ 51-point loss to Hawthorn in last Friday night’s second qualifying final, booting just one goal between them.
Welsh has kicked just four goals in the past five games but Eade the 29-year-old’s experience ensured he remained in the side for this week.
"We spoke about Scott but he kicked five against them (Sydney) the last time (in round 18) and while there has been a game or two since where he hasn't kicked a lot of goals, he has had 17 or 18 possessions playing further up the field but his last two or three games have been down," Eade said.
"But the thing about Scott is he has got finals experience, he is a talented player and he can kick goals and take marks so I think with the way he can play, he would stay in the side."
Eade also admitted that Johnson has struggled in the past fortnight but said he was confident that the Bulldogs skipper would bounce back.
"Brad has been down the last couple of weeks - he copped that bad knock in Adelaide (in round 22) where he had six staples in his head so that affected him and like a lot of us, he was down last week."
"But you can't just point the finger at Brad."
"Brad has got a lot of pride and he has led the team very well this year so I would imagine he would bounce back as well."
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