GVGjr
10-08-2013, 11:27 PM
McCartney sticks to plan to recruit talls despite recent winning streak (http://news.com.au/sport/afl/western-bulldogs-coach-brendan-mccartney-sticks-to-plan-to-recruit-talls-despite-recent-winning-streak/story-fndv8weh-1226694850062)
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A RECENT purple patch has not changed the way the Brendan McCartney will attack this year's trade and draft periods.
The Western Bulldogs won their third game in six weeks last night with an upset 28-point result over Carlton that virtually ended the Blues finals hopes.
McCartney hailed the growing maturity of his young players, particularly in light of their ability to withstand a torrid third quarter fight back from the Blues.
But despite recording wins over GWS, West Coast and now Carlton, as well as pushing premiership contenders Essendon, Hawthorn and Sydney of late, McCartney is adamant further turnover of the list is required.
McCartney said ''a couple of things to supplement our forward line'' are needed in the post-season trade, free agency and draft periods.
"We know you have to make list changes every year and we just know that we want to get to a place where it's really difficult to make those decisions at the end of the year,'' McCartney said.
"Our priority is to build a list where not everyone is a star, not everyone is a champion, but they work together for a good result.
"We've been chipping away at our planning and nothing's changed and won't change. We will have a look at what we think can help our list and we'll go looking in the draft for really good, young kids with talent and just as important is that they're tough, strong kids that are good to work with.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We want to win as many games as we can before the end of the year, have a little break, make some good decisions and hop in to next year full bore.''
Carlton's injury woes were not lost on McCartney, who said "not a lot went right'' for the Blues at Etihad Stadium.
But the Dogs coach said the fourth quarter response from his team was still satisfying after seeing the Blues draw level late in the third term.
"I always think the first quarter is the most important and to see them up and about and energetic and having a good crack was just as pleasing,'' McCartney said.
"But to balance up and finish the game strongly was good to watch.''
McCartney said his players had to take "enormous credit" for turning the season around after making a 3-10 start.
"They've been terrific,'' he said. "And they've been great for 18 months to be honest.
"Part of the last five or six weeks has been that the team has matured up a little bit and that's because we have been prepared to play young people and their game tallies are rising.
"There's been a handful of guys who have been around the system for four or five years who have really buckled down and given themselves to the team and they're starting to show the benefit of that.''
http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2013/08/10/1226694/849384-giansiracusa.jpg
A RECENT purple patch has not changed the way the Brendan McCartney will attack this year's trade and draft periods.
The Western Bulldogs won their third game in six weeks last night with an upset 28-point result over Carlton that virtually ended the Blues finals hopes.
McCartney hailed the growing maturity of his young players, particularly in light of their ability to withstand a torrid third quarter fight back from the Blues.
But despite recording wins over GWS, West Coast and now Carlton, as well as pushing premiership contenders Essendon, Hawthorn and Sydney of late, McCartney is adamant further turnover of the list is required.
McCartney said ''a couple of things to supplement our forward line'' are needed in the post-season trade, free agency and draft periods.
"We know you have to make list changes every year and we just know that we want to get to a place where it's really difficult to make those decisions at the end of the year,'' McCartney said.
"Our priority is to build a list where not everyone is a star, not everyone is a champion, but they work together for a good result.
"We've been chipping away at our planning and nothing's changed and won't change. We will have a look at what we think can help our list and we'll go looking in the draft for really good, young kids with talent and just as important is that they're tough, strong kids that are good to work with.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We want to win as many games as we can before the end of the year, have a little break, make some good decisions and hop in to next year full bore.''
Carlton's injury woes were not lost on McCartney, who said "not a lot went right'' for the Blues at Etihad Stadium.
But the Dogs coach said the fourth quarter response from his team was still satisfying after seeing the Blues draw level late in the third term.
"I always think the first quarter is the most important and to see them up and about and energetic and having a good crack was just as pleasing,'' McCartney said.
"But to balance up and finish the game strongly was good to watch.''
McCartney said his players had to take "enormous credit" for turning the season around after making a 3-10 start.
"They've been terrific,'' he said. "And they've been great for 18 months to be honest.
"Part of the last five or six weeks has been that the team has matured up a little bit and that's because we have been prepared to play young people and their game tallies are rising.
"There's been a handful of guys who have been around the system for four or five years who have really buckled down and given themselves to the team and they're starting to show the benefit of that.''