southerncross
13-05-2007, 09:58 AM
Cooney looking for consistency (http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=43062)
ASKED for his personal goals this AFL season, Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney simply replies "consistency".
The No.1 pick in the 2003 national draft has the comfort of knowing he definitely has the talent to be among the game's best players.
But doing so - quarter after quarter and game after game - is what separates the Chris Judds from the rest.
"I've just got to prove myself now, take the next step," he said.
"In patches, I have shown I can play well at this level."
The 21-year-old will again be a key for the Bulldogs on Sunday at Telstra Dome when they play winless Melbourne.
The Dogs, like Cooney, have been good in patches so far this year and have a 3-3 record.
Melbourne are winless, but should have beaten Port Adelaide last Sunday at the MCG and will push the Bulldogs after the Dogs' narrow loss to West Coast in Perth.
The Eagles match and the game before against Hawthorn have been stark reminders for Cooney about what is needed to succeed in the AFL.
In-form Hawks stopper Brad Sewell sat on Cooney, restricting him to 10 disposals, and he was then given different roles against West Coast.
He started as a run-with midfielder against Judd - a rare job for Cooney at any stage of his football career - and then effectively played at full-forward against Darren Glass.
"It's going to happen, isn't it, as you come through," Cooney said of the attention from taggers such as Sewell.
"The main concern about my footy at the moment, personally, is my inconsistency.
"Whether I'm being tagged or not, sometimes my work rate isn't up to scratch and it's something I need to focus on each week.
"A lot of it is mental - I need to get my focus right, sometimes I switch off in patches during games.
"If I want to be a good player, I can't afford to do (that)."
Cooney has no doubt he and his teammates will need to be switched on against the Demons.
"Coming back from the west, everyone seems to think (you're) a bit tired," he said of the Perth trip.
"It's definitely a big test for us, obviously they did play some good footy on the weekend and they have been unlucky in a few of their games."
ASKED for his personal goals this AFL season, Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney simply replies "consistency".
The No.1 pick in the 2003 national draft has the comfort of knowing he definitely has the talent to be among the game's best players.
But doing so - quarter after quarter and game after game - is what separates the Chris Judds from the rest.
"I've just got to prove myself now, take the next step," he said.
"In patches, I have shown I can play well at this level."
The 21-year-old will again be a key for the Bulldogs on Sunday at Telstra Dome when they play winless Melbourne.
The Dogs, like Cooney, have been good in patches so far this year and have a 3-3 record.
Melbourne are winless, but should have beaten Port Adelaide last Sunday at the MCG and will push the Bulldogs after the Dogs' narrow loss to West Coast in Perth.
The Eagles match and the game before against Hawthorn have been stark reminders for Cooney about what is needed to succeed in the AFL.
In-form Hawks stopper Brad Sewell sat on Cooney, restricting him to 10 disposals, and he was then given different roles against West Coast.
He started as a run-with midfielder against Judd - a rare job for Cooney at any stage of his football career - and then effectively played at full-forward against Darren Glass.
"It's going to happen, isn't it, as you come through," Cooney said of the attention from taggers such as Sewell.
"The main concern about my footy at the moment, personally, is my inconsistency.
"Whether I'm being tagged or not, sometimes my work rate isn't up to scratch and it's something I need to focus on each week.
"A lot of it is mental - I need to get my focus right, sometimes I switch off in patches during games.
"If I want to be a good player, I can't afford to do (that)."
Cooney has no doubt he and his teammates will need to be switched on against the Demons.
"Coming back from the west, everyone seems to think (you're) a bit tired," he said of the Perth trip.
"It's definitely a big test for us, obviously they did play some good footy on the weekend and they have been unlucky in a few of their games."