As the fifth ranked side in the competition for tackles and fourth in the league for goals kicked, the Western Bulldogs seem to have struck a balance between attack and defence.
The common theme under senior coach Luke Beveridge has been a free-flowing, offensive style of play but the Bulldogs haven’t sacrificed defence.
In season 2015, the Bulldogs have conceded on average 20 points less per game compared to 2014, while scoring eight points more.
Last year the Bulldogs lost seven games by 28-points or less, with the 28-point differential in points for and against in 2015 underlying the Club’s 12-6 winning record.
Veteran defender Dale Morris said that under Beveridge, the Bulldogs have been able to add another layer to their game.
“The last few years we’ve really focused on defence and I think with Bevo coming in he’s added the next layer of our attacking style to our game,” said Morris, speaking with Sportsday radio on Monday night.
“When you talk about defence, everyone thinks it’s the back six but it’s actually a whole team thing, it’s what the forwards can do and the mids restricting their midfielders on the way that the opposition can move the ball.
“That was the great thing on the weekend and probably over this season as a whole is our defensive work and off the back of defence, you can really spring forward and attack so we put a lot of emphasis on the defensive side of our game without hurting our attacking side as well.”
Although the philosophy seems simple, Morris credits the success of the Bulldogs’ season to his Club’s depth in the current playing list.
Despite having played 37 players over the course of the season, Morris says each player has been able to slot in effectively – and adjust to the game plan.
“There’s a lot of depth on the list and I haven’t seen it in quite a long time.
“There’s a lot of competition for spots and I think if you look on the weekend, people wouldn’t have really rated us much of a chance, or our chances would have dipped when you hear that ‘Murph’ and Johannisen and ‘Roughie’ aren’t playing.
“But we have guys that step up and fill the shoes and spread the load and really don’t look out of place when they come into the team and that’s a sign of great depth at our Club.”
