Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge mindful of “let-down” after stirring win over Sydney

[bornadog]

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ONE of the new signs adorning the back wall of the players’ meeting room at Whitten Oval has a picture of a snarling Bulldog above the words: “Men of Mayhem.’’


Underneath it are three qualities that the Bulldogs believe to be non-negotiables whenever they take the field: “Selfless’’, “compete always’’ and “manic pressure’’.


All three characteristics have been constants over the opening five rounds, as the Bulldogs have racked up four wins against more fancied opponents to move to third on the AFL ladder.


Last Saturday’s gripping win at the SCG over 2014 Grand Finalist Sydney was hailed as a win for the ages, but this week the Dogs face a challenge of a different nature as they go into a match against lowly St Kilda as strong favourites.


Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge conceded there was a danger of suffering a let-down after such an emotional win, but said the key would be to adhere to those non-negotiable Men of Mayhem principles.


“Our challenge is to maintain our intensity and our energy around the ball and away from it, and it’s crucial that we go in with the right mindset against the Saints, who were pretty impressive against the Bombers last week,’’ Beveridge said.



“We’ve got to be prepared for (St Kilda’s) best and expect that they’ll bring it and they’ll hopefully help us stay on the edge.


“It shouldn’t really matter what the pundits say about favouritism, we’ve just got to focus on what we can control and if we don’t then we run the risk of being vulnerable.’’


Beveridge said the club was embracing the widespread admiration being shown for the Dogs, and had no problem with the perception that they were everybody’s second-favourite team.


“I think it’s gold,’’ he said. “For some of our players to become, not cult figures, but favourite players of young kids and adults alike, who have got a soft spot for the Dogs.


“We’re looking to build pretty quickly and we’re playing our own brand of footy and we think it’s brilliant that people are throwing some accolades our way. But we also know that it can be fleeting.


“It’s great that we’ve sparked some interest in the public domain, and we’re a feel-good story at the moment, which is brilliant for our players and our club, but we need to guard against losing that.


“When you have a week like we’ve had this week where everything’s been positive and you see the smiles on people’s faces, you can’t help but wanting that from week to week. And like I said, the only way you can do it is to win and that’s what we set out to do.’’



Several commentators have adjusted their assessment of the Bulldogs, who were widely tipped to finish in the bottom quarter of the ladder. Now, with a relatively gentle match schedule through the 17-game run home, many are suggesting they could play finals.


But Beveridge said he had no intention of changing his approach and “we aren’t trying to look too far ahead’’.


He said performances such as the win over the Swans “give you a little bit more belief’’.


“We went into the year and everyone hopes a little bit because you don’t know what the opposition are like,’’ he said.


“And we believed that we were going to be able to challenge most sides in the competition, and last week’s performance validates that a little bit. As far as our expectations go, we think week to week that we’re a chance to win, so that doesn’t change.’’


He said the team had ‘’freshened up a little bit’’ at training during the week but still needed to make some selections changes. Lin Jong goes out of the team with a hand injury, while veteran Matthew Boyd potentially could have played this week, but the club wanted to sensible in managing his workload over the season.


“He got through last week’s game OK but he’s just had a little bit going on with some hamstring soreness … it just seemed like this week it was just too risky to force it,’’ Beveridge said.


The two inclusions, Lachie Hunter and Brett Goodes, would be expected to take their turn through the midfield, as would young forwards Mitch Honeychurch and Nathan Hrovat.


The Bulldogs and St Kilda will play for the Barker-Whitten Trophy named in honour of two legends of the clubs (Trevor Barker and EJ Whitten) who both lost their lives to cancer.


“Both of those men are held in high regard across the whole football public and I’ve had close relationships with both of them actually,’’


Beveridge said. “EJ presented me with my first football jumper at this football club and Trevor Barker was my first football idol. So there’s sentiment me for me.’’


But he suggested his charges would reflect on that aspect of the match after the final siren. In the meantime they needed to set their sights on being Men of Mayhem.

[The Pie Man]

I had to laugh at the SOA direction with this, but if the brotherhood theme is working...
Just hope St Kilda meet Mr Mayhem tomorrow

[bornadog]

I had to laugh at the SOA direction with this, but if the brotherhood theme is working...
Just hope St Kilda meet Mr Mayhem tomorrow

Is that a new scarf you can organise:

Men of Mayhem

[LostDoggy]

I just hope this doesn't blow back on the club. It's gotta land on you, brother.

[LostDoggy]

Sort of wish this was kept under wraps a little bit.

[ledge]

Nah I say enjoy it all and suck it all in we haven't seen this for a few years, bask in it while we can , because we know what can happen.

[Greystache]

We hoped and prayed this time it would finally be different, it wasn't sadly.

[Mantis]

We hoped and prayed this time it would finally be different, it wasn't sadly.

We all know this club extremely well.

[Greystache]

We all know this club extremely well.

Yet we dare to dream which makes it really hurt.

[Twodogs]

Next week.

[Ghost Dog]

We all know this club extremely well.

All teams have a bad loss at some point. Interested to see how this version of the bulldogs responds to the inevitable adversity of professional sport.

[Remi Moses]

I guess as long time traumatised fans it comes as no shock.
I'd be more p***** off if it was with a senior group contending

[The Underdog]

All teams have a bad loss at some point. Interested to see how this version of the bulldogs responds to the inevitable adversity of professional sport.

We should learn a lot more out of today than we did out of last week

[Remi Moses]

We have to realise you can't play full throttle for 120 minutes .
Need to take the air out of the contest.

[Ghost Dog]

Have to take things one step at a time. It's clear we can attack, but now need better midfield and defensive men or methods