TonyK
CibbuanoEade satisfied with build-up
September 1st 2008 06:53
WESTERN BULLDOGS coach Rodney Eade is satisfied that his team is in good order despite losing five of their past seven matches.
Eade said the Bulldogs' nine-point loss to Adelaide at a wet AAMI Stadium last Saturday was a great lead in to the finals series.
"I think even the weather conditions made it even better for us because it made it a bit of a slog," Eade said.
"It certainly tested your physical and your mental approach. And I think our guys answered everything that was asked of the coaching group and I think it was a real big positive for us."
Eade stressed the confidence of the playing group had not been dented by the Bulldogs' recent losses.
"The belief and the confidence has been there; whether we haven't handled that scenario where we've had our spot sewn up so far out, maybe not finishing games off or having a quarter off here or there, maybe that's a lack of concentration," he said.
"But as far as confidence levels, I don't think that's been eroded at all."
"You wouldn't want to lose every game because maybe then you question yourself about getting over the line, but I think with the couple of wins we've had over the past four or five weeks and then with the performance on the weekend, I think it's been pleasing."
Meanwhile, Eade rated ruckman Ben Hudson a 60-40 chance of playing in Friday night's qualifying final against Hawthorn.
"First use of the ball in the centre is certainly paramount in most (games), I think it's more evident in finals games so fingers crossed," Eade said.
Eade said the Bulldogs' nine-point loss to Adelaide at a wet AAMI Stadium last Saturday was a great lead in to the finals series.
"I think even the weather conditions made it even better for us because it made it a bit of a slog," Eade said.
"It certainly tested your physical and your mental approach. And I think our guys answered everything that was asked of the coaching group and I think it was a real big positive for us."
Eade stressed the confidence of the playing group had not been dented by the Bulldogs' recent losses.
"The belief and the confidence has been there; whether we haven't handled that scenario where we've had our spot sewn up so far out, maybe not finishing games off or having a quarter off here or there, maybe that's a lack of concentration," he said.
"But as far as confidence levels, I don't think that's been eroded at all."
"You wouldn't want to lose every game because maybe then you question yourself about getting over the line, but I think with the couple of wins we've had over the past four or five weeks and then with the performance on the weekend, I think it's been pleasing."
Meanwhile, Eade rated ruckman Ben Hudson a 60-40 chance of playing in Friday night's qualifying final against Hawthorn.
"First use of the ball in the centre is certainly paramount in most (games), I think it's more evident in finals games so fingers crossed," Eade said.
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