The Western Bulldogs have got the quickest hands in the business in close and now we know why.

The Dogs’ ability to extract a ball from congestion is the catalyst for a lot their sling-shot moves forward and at the heart of their at times electric ball movment.  In close, under pressure, two or three quick ones and they’re off. 

Speaking on Triple M’s The Rub on Sunday afternoon, Wayne Carey said he’s never seen a team do it as well as the Bulldogs do, and it can be traced back to something called ‘the handball club.”

According to Matthew Boyd, the ‘handball club’ is the work of the Bulldogs’ development coaches and it is a key part of their game.

“We spend a bit of time during the week working on those quick hands, Boyd told Triple M yesterday.

“It’s a crucial part of our game just trying to get the ball from that inner ring, and the congestion, to the outer ring to try and get a kick away.

According to Champion Data, the Bulldogs are number one in the game for Stoppage Strike Rate at the centre bounce, with quick ball movement out of the middle the key.

But for Boyd, the quick hands are just half of the equation.  The ability of players to make the right decision under pressure is the key, and the Dogs’ have plenty of quick minds at the coal face. 

“It’s all well and good to execute the skill but it’s as much about the right option and the right person to give to.