“mystique” and “magic” surrounding western bulldogs

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Marcus Bontempelli admits there is some mystique surrounding the Western Bulldogs as they embark on the second half of the 2019 season.

After 11 games, the Dogs find themselves sitting 15th on the ladder with just four wins and seven losses against their name as they come off the bye.

Luke Beveridge’s side has mixed its form quite significantly so far with their best and worst miles apart, but taking the knowledge that they can produce brilliant football provides plenty of optimism.

“The essence is, although there are things we haven’t done perfectly so far throughout the season, the opportunity for growth and ability to win more games and really make something of the season can start now,” Bontempelli told Sam McClure on SEN’s Time On.

“We look at it as a bit of a clean slate and say, ‘well these are the things we did well, these are the things we know we need to be better at’, and you embrace that possibility of ‘what if?’ and ‘who knows?’

“That’s the thing that everyone takes a bit of energy from is the mystique and magic of who knows what we could do or what could happen.

“You ride that wave a little bit when you get to a position like we’re in where we haven’t won as many games as we would have liked to.

“The other thing is you look at the things we’ve done well and the teams we’ve played well against, they tend to be some of the better teams, so we’ve got to try and embrace that as well.

“Hopefully we can nail down some of those things we need to work on and it can have a good impact for us.”

The Bulldogs will look to kickstart their assault on the back half of the campaign at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night but what stands in their way is Carlton and Patrick Cripps.

Cripps dominated in the Blues’ win over Brisbane last weekend and Bontempelli knows all too well that he must be quelled in order for the Dogs to claim a fifth win.

“It’s an impressive feat that his footy has been able to achieve,” he added.

“Especially off the back what he would consider a couple of quiet weeks. Those games are even more impressive when your form and influence has been limited in the previous weeks, and your back is against the wall.

“Particularly in an emotional situation like they’ve been, it was impressive to see him do what he did. It’s obvious he’s a beacon for his teammates, but as good a story as it is, we’ve got to play them this week and we want to win just as much as they do.

“That aside, we’ll hopefully be able to limit his influence as much as possible.”

Article heading is seriously red rag to a bull type stuff.

I am yet to listen to the interview but if Bontempelli said the words mystique or magic in a positive light, then the club internally are seriously misreading the supporters mood.

Yeah I've played in seasons like that.
'This is the point where we have to turn around and make our stand'
'No wait it's actually this week'
'Now's really our last chance boys, got to go unbeaten from here'
'Let's have a say in who makes finals'
'Let's have a great pre-season'

Uhh, Marcus, I don't think those words mean what you think they mean.

C'mon everyone, get around the mystique and magic of a bottom four finish.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hujsh

Yeah I've played in seasons like that.
'This is the point where we have to turn around and make our stand'
'No wait it's actually this week'
'Now's really our last chance boys, got to go unbeaten from here'
'Let's have a say in who makes finals'
'Let's have a great pre-season'

---

I'd kill for a 'make our stand' moment in the rooms.

For the Penrith Panthers in 2003 it came from a veteran, Joel Clinton. They lost the first 3 games of the season after a disappointing year the year before, and Clinton stood up in the rooms and said that he was *!*!*!*!ing sick of losing and it needed to change.

They dropped only 3 games for the rest of the year, finished as minor premiers and won the premiership in one of the best grand finals I've ever watched.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rocket Science

Uhh, Marcus, I don't think those words mean what you think they mean.

C'mon everyone, get around the mystique and magic of a bottom four finish.

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That said ...

After being dead last in the NHL and dumping their coach midway through the season the St Louis Blues just casually won their first Stanley Cup so who the hell knows, maybe there's hope for us!

One thing and blatantly obvious that Marcus said is we must stop Cripps, or it is goodbye again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bornadog

One thing and blatantly obvious that Marcus said is we must stop Cripps, or it is goodbye again.

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A fascinating test of wills and patience all hang on if we really try and curb him

A contest within the bigger contest

Oh god it's sounding like a cult in there.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1eyedog

Oh god it's sounding like a cult in there.

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Shaddup and drink the kool aid!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 1eyedog

Oh god it's sounding like a cult in there.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rocket Science

Shaddup and drink the kool aid!

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Do what the leader says. Now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rocket Science

Shaddup and drink the kool aid!

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by bulldogtragic

Do what the leader says. Now.

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I hate to be a nuisance but it was Flavor Aid.

Magic happens or lets hope so. Fans are not in the mood Bont! do your thing boys. Go Dogs

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rocket Science

Shaddup and drink the kool aid!

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We have two songs

"Beveridge is good,
Beveridge is great
We surrender our will
As of this date"

and

"Na na na na na na na Beveridge!
Na na na na na na na Beveridge!
Beveridge!
Beveridge!
Beveridge!"

If we don't say to Bont "beat that man" and let him run out we are cooked. If I was Bont (never would've got close) I'd want to beat Cripps, beat him badly. Challenge him and watch him respond.

I'd much prefer the words "clinical" and "ruthless" applied to us rather than "mystique" and "magic"...

:rolleyes:

If it works (against Carlton no less), then whatever works...