southerncross
08-04-2007, 07:54 AM
Eade is spoilt for choice (http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/eade-is-spoilt-for-choice/2007/04/07/1175366536445.html)
After enduring a horror run with injuries through 2006, Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade finds himself in the enviable position of having almost a full list to choose from for today's clash with an undermanned Adelaide at the MCG.
While Crows livewire Brett Burton (knee) joined skipper Mark Ricciuto on the sidelines yesterday, the Bulldogs are looking better than they have for some time, with Chris Grant, Mitch Hahn and Brett Montgomery their only major injury concerns.
But Eade played down the prospect of his side coasting #through the game today. "Obviously if there are players out any team's going to miss them, but we've seen in the past teams can really rise to the challenge," he said.
Eade also said he thought the Crows were being underestimated by their doubters. "People say they're battling, I mean they've only lost one game and I think the side they put out last week only had three players that didn't play in the preliminary final against West Coast and they lost by 10 points.
"So they've still got the makings of a very good side and we know they're a very good club and they're an extremely tough side to beat."
Eade said he would be judging Adelaide on its performance over the past year, rather than just focusing on its loss to Essendon last week.
"We've got enormous respect for them and, I mean I'm not into who's favourite, who's not favourite, because that doesn't mean anything. But the fact that they were a top four side last year, they've got extremely talented players and we realise it's going to be a really tough game for us," he said.
While Adelaide was beaten soundly by Essendon at home last week, Eade said the final score did not accurately reflect the way it played.
"I think they were a bit unlucky. They had a reasonable control of the play, they just didn't kick straight. I would have thought if they had have kicked accurately by three-quarter-time they may even have been in front," he said.
"I don't think that 31 points really reflected the difference between the two sides on the day to be honest."
Eade said he had taken some positives from the way his team had played against Geelong.
"We were really pleased with the contested ball, we won that. We were really pleased with our clearances. Things that last year maybe weren't our strong points, we saw some improvement," he said.
After enduring a horror run with injuries through 2006, Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade finds himself in the enviable position of having almost a full list to choose from for today's clash with an undermanned Adelaide at the MCG.
While Crows livewire Brett Burton (knee) joined skipper Mark Ricciuto on the sidelines yesterday, the Bulldogs are looking better than they have for some time, with Chris Grant, Mitch Hahn and Brett Montgomery their only major injury concerns.
But Eade played down the prospect of his side coasting #through the game today. "Obviously if there are players out any team's going to miss them, but we've seen in the past teams can really rise to the challenge," he said.
Eade also said he thought the Crows were being underestimated by their doubters. "People say they're battling, I mean they've only lost one game and I think the side they put out last week only had three players that didn't play in the preliminary final against West Coast and they lost by 10 points.
"So they've still got the makings of a very good side and we know they're a very good club and they're an extremely tough side to beat."
Eade said he would be judging Adelaide on its performance over the past year, rather than just focusing on its loss to Essendon last week.
"We've got enormous respect for them and, I mean I'm not into who's favourite, who's not favourite, because that doesn't mean anything. But the fact that they were a top four side last year, they've got extremely talented players and we realise it's going to be a really tough game for us," he said.
While Adelaide was beaten soundly by Essendon at home last week, Eade said the final score did not accurately reflect the way it played.
"I think they were a bit unlucky. They had a reasonable control of the play, they just didn't kick straight. I would have thought if they had have kicked accurately by three-quarter-time they may even have been in front," he said.
"I don't think that 31 points really reflected the difference between the two sides on the day to be honest."
Eade said he had taken some positives from the way his team had played against Geelong.
"We were really pleased with the contested ball, we won that. We were really pleased with our clearances. Things that last year maybe weren't our strong points, we saw some improvement," he said.