bornadog
22-05-2013, 05:39 PM
Link (http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/coach-brendan-mccartney-says-western-bulldogs-are-closer-to-a-win-than-they-think/story-e6frg1z3-1226648512850)
COACH Brendan McCartney says not even the Western Bulldogs themselves realise how close they are to a morale-lifting victory.
With just one win in eight rounds this year after 11 consecutive losses to finish 2012, the dark clouds of doubt have gathered over Whitten Oval.
But McCartney says only costly 10-minute lapses, such as Saturday's fade-out against Gold Coast, have prevented his young Dogs from tasting victory.
He said Monday's review of the 32-point loss to the Suns had revealed five "catastrophic" minutes in the third quarter had been the difference.
"We're disappointed with our results, but we're very clear about where we're going," McCartney said.
"Outside our club not everyone might see that and at the moment it's clear that very few people would agree with what I'm saying.
"But internally we believe we're a lot closer to better results.
"We've spent time talking to the players (this week) about how we let the opposition do what they wanted for 10 minutes in the third quarter.
"They got a pretty solid reminder that they're actually closer to getting some good results than they realise.
"(We have poor) little patches per quarter, a 10-minute patch in the third quarter through the last 3-4 weeks - we're very competitive in a lot of areas, but we can't afford those patches.
"They're closer than they think."
McCartney agreed some criticism of the club's results has been justified, but he denied that moving the ball at breakneck speed - as previous successful Bulldogs teams have done - was the solution when the team was more than holding its own at stoppages.
"At times we're quick kicking it (having won contested ball) when we can use it by hand, but that's a work in progress," he said.
"What we can't throw out is what we've nailed and do very well - you've got to use it to lever more opportunities to move the ball.
"There seems to be a misconception out there that it's all about scoring and you score because you run and flick the ball 100 miles an hour.
"That certainly happens at times, but the best teams in this competition do most of their scoring off the back of their defence.
"We're teaching that heavily and we've got to get much better ... at capitalising on our opportunities."
COACH Brendan McCartney says not even the Western Bulldogs themselves realise how close they are to a morale-lifting victory.
With just one win in eight rounds this year after 11 consecutive losses to finish 2012, the dark clouds of doubt have gathered over Whitten Oval.
But McCartney says only costly 10-minute lapses, such as Saturday's fade-out against Gold Coast, have prevented his young Dogs from tasting victory.
He said Monday's review of the 32-point loss to the Suns had revealed five "catastrophic" minutes in the third quarter had been the difference.
"We're disappointed with our results, but we're very clear about where we're going," McCartney said.
"Outside our club not everyone might see that and at the moment it's clear that very few people would agree with what I'm saying.
"But internally we believe we're a lot closer to better results.
"We've spent time talking to the players (this week) about how we let the opposition do what they wanted for 10 minutes in the third quarter.
"They got a pretty solid reminder that they're actually closer to getting some good results than they realise.
"(We have poor) little patches per quarter, a 10-minute patch in the third quarter through the last 3-4 weeks - we're very competitive in a lot of areas, but we can't afford those patches.
"They're closer than they think."
McCartney agreed some criticism of the club's results has been justified, but he denied that moving the ball at breakneck speed - as previous successful Bulldogs teams have done - was the solution when the team was more than holding its own at stoppages.
"At times we're quick kicking it (having won contested ball) when we can use it by hand, but that's a work in progress," he said.
"What we can't throw out is what we've nailed and do very well - you've got to use it to lever more opportunities to move the ball.
"There seems to be a misconception out there that it's all about scoring and you score because you run and flick the ball 100 miles an hour.
"That certainly happens at times, but the best teams in this competition do most of their scoring off the back of their defence.
"We're teaching that heavily and we've got to get much better ... at capitalising on our opportunities."