Bulldogs to use Adelaide's template

THE WESTERN Bulldogs are using Adelaide's round-seven demolition of Geelong as the blueprint for their big clash with the Cats on Friday night.

The Bulldogs have a golden opportunity to move a game clear of Geelong and make a surprise push towards the top eight, and will no doubt benefit from the intimate knowledge coach Brendan McCartney boasts of Cats players.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson, a former colleague of McCartney's at Geelong, clearly exploited his inside information on the Cats in his side's comprehensive 50-point win at AAMI Stadium.

Bulldogs veteran Daniel Cross played down the significance of McCartney's knowledge of the Cats but confirmed they would try to replicate aspects of the Crows' performance.

"Brendan hasn’t been there for a couple of years and Chris Scott is the coach down there now and 'Bomber' Thompson's not there, so [it's] a completely new program, I'm sure," Cross said at Whitten Oval on Tuesday.

"Like any side, anyone does their homework and looks [at] what sides did well against them, and Adelaide certainly did well against them, so we've certainly looked at that game, picking out parts that hopefully we can do well also."

Cross refused to entertain suggestions the Cats were vulnerable after enduring their worst start to a season since 2006.

"I don’t think Geelong are vulnerable at any stage," he said. "They've had a great program down there for a long time.

"If you don’t play well enough for long enough against Geelong, they'll get you at any stage.

"We're under no illusions that they’re a great side and we've got to do a lot right for a long time to get a result, so that's the way we're approaching it."

However, Cross described the clash as "an eight-point game" - a clear sign the Bulldogs fancy their chances.

"We're both equal on points at the moment, so I suppose it's a turning point for both sides in the year," he said.

The Bulldogs have lost seven of their past eight games against Geelong, including their past three by an average of 59 points, but are not daunted by the challenge.

"It's been a few years, but not many teams have beaten them in that time," Cross said. "But we're certainly looking to change that this week."

The Dogs will be coming off their fifth six-day break this season, but you won’t hear any complaints coming out of Whitten Oval.

"That's what the draw's given us and we're more than happy to play on Friday night against a great side in Geelong," he said.

Cross said training would be "very light" with a focus on recovery.

One Dog who appears to have recovered from his swollen knee is Adam Cooney, who trained without any apparent discomfort and will be in the selection mix.

The Bulldogs are aiming for their fifth win in six games. Cross said they have "still got a long way to go" but were "progressing well".

"Under a new coach things can take time but we feel and they feel that we've adapted pretty well thus far. Hopefully we can keep improving and see where it takes us from there," he said.


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