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RODNEY Eade expects the Western Bulldogs to make the grand final in 2010 after falling one game short in both 2008 and 2009.
The Bulldogs have already secured the services of power forward Barry Hall and have re-signed another key pillar in defender Brian Lake.
Eade said even without the arrival of Hall, he believed his side would be expected to make next year's decider after their brave preliminary final loss to St Kilda in September.
"To finish like we did this year, the expectation, and certainly the internal expectation, is that we'll make the grand final at least [next year]," Eade told afl.com.au.
The Dogs were beaten by just seven points in the thrilling preliminary final, just 12 months after losing last year's prelim by 29 points to Geelong.
Eade said his players headed off on their annual break with a different sense of hurt this time around, having believed they were capable of winning through to the deciding game.
"Last year it was more they realised how close they were after the game, and this year, they realised that before the game and that's why it has hurt them more," he said.
"There's a different mindset. They knew they were good enough this time, and they know they're not far away.
"It's certainly hurt them. They were certainly stung by the loss because they did work extremely hard. I've got no doubt it will strengthen their resolve again to take that next step."
The Bulldogs will commence their pre-season training on Monday 23 November.
More here
The Bulldogs have already secured the services of power forward Barry Hall and have re-signed another key pillar in defender Brian Lake.
Eade said even without the arrival of Hall, he believed his side would be expected to make next year's decider after their brave preliminary final loss to St Kilda in September.
"To finish like we did this year, the expectation, and certainly the internal expectation, is that we'll make the grand final at least [next year]," Eade told afl.com.au.
The Dogs were beaten by just seven points in the thrilling preliminary final, just 12 months after losing last year's prelim by 29 points to Geelong.
Eade said his players headed off on their annual break with a different sense of hurt this time around, having believed they were capable of winning through to the deciding game.
"Last year it was more they realised how close they were after the game, and this year, they realised that before the game and that's why it has hurt them more," he said.
"There's a different mindset. They knew they were good enough this time, and they know they're not far away.
"It's certainly hurt them. They were certainly stung by the loss because they did work extremely hard. I've got no doubt it will strengthen their resolve again to take that next step."
The Bulldogs will commence their pre-season training on Monday 23 November.
More here
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