“Anything could happen”: Informed Dogs are cautious about exaggeration

Luke Beveridge acknowledges that his Footscray team is currently one of the top-performing teams in the league as they gear up for a crucial match against Melbourne. However, the seasoned coach is also mindful of the importance of keeping his players grounded following a remarkable climb into the top eight.

The Bulldogs have been in excellent form, losing only once in the last two months and aiming for their fourth straight victory when they face the Demons at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.

“With less than a fifth of the season remaining, there’s still a lot to play for and anything can happen,” said Beveridge.

“We’ve observed that nearly every team, including ours, can fluctuate from week to week, so we remain cautious of potential setbacks.

“It’s crucial to stay focused on the non-negotiables and fundamental elements of our game that will keep us in a strong position.

“That’s the only approach that makes sense.”

Beveridge anticipated only minor adjustments to his lineup, which will be announced on Thursday night, with James O’Donnell not able to rejoin the backline following his return from injury.

Recent injuries had made defense a weak spot for the Bulldogs, but they have adapted and now have a solid group of key defenders. Liam Jones is back in the lineup, joined by the newly adjusted Rory Lobb and the promising Buku Khamis. Coach Beveridge plans to rely on this trio for their upcoming game against Melbourne. He noted that while James’s brief absence was unfortunate, their current key defenders are performing strongly.

The Bulldogs have faced difficulties against Melbourne recently, having lost four of their last five encounters, a streak that began with the 2021 Grand Final.

Coach Beveridge acknowledged their poor track record against the Demons, noting that Melbourne has been a strong team in recent years. “We faced them earlier this year in round one, and despite preparing well, we had an off day, and they demonstrated their capabilities,” Beveridge said. “So this presents a significant challenge for us.”

Currently, the Bulldogs (11-8) are in eighth place on a tight ladder, holding a one-win and a considerable percentage lead over Melbourne (10-9), who is in 11th place.