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AS THEY await official confirmation of Callan Ward's defection to Greater Western Sydney, the Western Bulldogs have already begun to look to next year at the need to implement a ''modern'' game plan.
First the Dogs have to hire a new coach, although caretaker Paul Williams, who does want the top job, says a revised game style and tactics have already begun to be drawn up.
Williams has twice spoken about the need for the team to become better defensively, a point veteran forward Daniel Giansiracusa reinforced to The Age.
Giansiracusa suggested the Bulldogs had been ''caught napping'' in terms of matching the likes of Collingwood and West Coast with their defensive zones and pressure inside their attacking 50 metres. The Dogs had been a flag favourite heading into the season, but finished by missing the finals with only nine wins and axing coach Rodney Eade.
''It's hugely disappointing because we had huge expectations on ourselves as well. Nothing has gone right, to be honest,'' Giansiracusa said.
''There have been injuries, but we have got to put our hand up, every player on the list has to take responsibility for what happened.
''We will have a thorough review. It's going to be a fresh start and hopefully we can get a game plan that can really stand up to modern footy.
''I still have huge belief in the list we have got. Obviously it's going to be hard because of the personnel we are going to lose to retirements and things like that.''
The Dogs had been known for their dash in recent years, a game style that led to three consecutive preliminary finals. However, the league this season has become very much defensive oriented, something Giansiracusa, who had a strong year, said the Dogs may not have embraced.
''Yeah, we were probably caught napping a little bit. We tried to change it a bit halfway through the year,'' he said. ''It worked at times. We pinged teams in our forward half. That was great, but we couldn't do it for a whole four quarters really in any game.''
The Bulldogs still hope to name their new coach by the end of September, although that could depend on the availability of those applicants at rival teams playing in the finals. Williams said he looks forward to conducting an official interview with the coaching subcommittee.
Former Bulldog Leon Cameron, now an assistant at Hawthorn, is favourite for the job.
First the Dogs have to hire a new coach, although caretaker Paul Williams, who does want the top job, says a revised game style and tactics have already begun to be drawn up.
Williams has twice spoken about the need for the team to become better defensively, a point veteran forward Daniel Giansiracusa reinforced to The Age.
Giansiracusa suggested the Bulldogs had been ''caught napping'' in terms of matching the likes of Collingwood and West Coast with their defensive zones and pressure inside their attacking 50 metres. The Dogs had been a flag favourite heading into the season, but finished by missing the finals with only nine wins and axing coach Rodney Eade.
''It's hugely disappointing because we had huge expectations on ourselves as well. Nothing has gone right, to be honest,'' Giansiracusa said.
''There have been injuries, but we have got to put our hand up, every player on the list has to take responsibility for what happened.
''We will have a thorough review. It's going to be a fresh start and hopefully we can get a game plan that can really stand up to modern footy.
''I still have huge belief in the list we have got. Obviously it's going to be hard because of the personnel we are going to lose to retirements and things like that.''
The Dogs had been known for their dash in recent years, a game style that led to three consecutive preliminary finals. However, the league this season has become very much defensive oriented, something Giansiracusa, who had a strong year, said the Dogs may not have embraced.
''Yeah, we were probably caught napping a little bit. We tried to change it a bit halfway through the year,'' he said. ''It worked at times. We pinged teams in our forward half. That was great, but we couldn't do it for a whole four quarters really in any game.''
The Bulldogs still hope to name their new coach by the end of September, although that could depend on the availability of those applicants at rival teams playing in the finals. Williams said he looks forward to conducting an official interview with the coaching subcommittee.
Former Bulldog Leon Cameron, now an assistant at Hawthorn, is favourite for the job.
The difference now is the whole team defends, so the coaching is as important as the players. 
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