Tara Murray
Reigning premier Gisborne might be outside the top five in the Bendigo Football League at the competition-wide bye, but the Bulldogs aren’t that far off.
With a number of personnel changes through both departures and injuries, the Bulldogs sit 2-3 after the first round of matches.
While not where they want to be results wise, coach Brad Fox said there had been some positive signs.
“This season hasn’t gone to script with the win-losses,” he said.
“We’re 14 points from being 4-1 instead of 2-3. We had a 12 point loss in round one and a two point loss last week.
“It’s a very close competition this year. I expect what we’ve seen in the first five rounds will continue throughout the season.”
Fox said the biggest area for improvement for the group is the connection with the attacking end.
He said a bit of that was a lack of experience factor.
“The difference has been skill execution,” he said. “We’ve been playing a good game of footy in the back two-thirds, but inside 50 we haven’t been as good as we should be.
“We’re not capitalising on the insides 50s. There is no substitute for experience.
“Most of the guys would not have played anywhere near 20 games together. They’re learning each other.”
The Bulldogs forward line received a boost in their loss to Kyneton, with skipper Pat McKenna playing his first game of the season.
He kicked the Bulldogs first four goals of the game and finished with five. Fox said while McKenna was their highest profile forward, it takes the whole forward six to get the job done.
With a number of younger guys getting their opportunity there has been plenty of good signs for the future.
Fox said he hadn’t been surprised by the performances of the young guys, but had been pleased.
“Harry Luxmoore has had a good start in his first year out of under-18s,” he said. “Shane Clough is still able to play under-18s
“Jed Denahy is only 19 and has enormous upside and his brother Zac is another one. It’s pretty exciting.”
Fox said the break would give them the chance to reflect on the first part of the season and where they can improve.
The Bulldogs this week face Golden Square.
Harry Thomas and premiership player Seb Bell-Bartels are set to be available for selection in a boost for the Bulldogs.
“We’ve got three games against sides in the top five sides,” Fox said. “How we perform will set up our season.”
