Captain Marcus Bontempelli says there is no hiding the feeling of disappointment following the weekend’s loss, but is calling on the Bulldogs’ faithful to stick true.
Bontempelli addressed media on Monday morning, acknowledging there has been a lack of consistency in the Bulldogs’ performances this season.
“It’s hard not to say we’re disappointed. Understanding what was on the line from a game perspective (a win) would have helped, so unfortunately it’s an all-too-familiar feeling for us,” he said.
“I think there was probably an edge to us wanting to play the game well and win it, and hopefully set up this next week as well.
“The name of it is consistency – that’s probably something we haven’t been able to find often enough across the board with our team. We’ve just got to keep searching for it.
“The consistency in our football just hasn’t been there. We’ve shown really what we’re capable of in a positive outlook at different points.
“It wasn’t that long ago we had a good stretch of wins and got our game back on track. It just shows you in terms of the competition that you can never be too safe or too comfortable. You can never feel like any lead is too great both ways. You have to think you’re in the game and never really out of it.
“I think we’ve got some growth definitely in a few areas to become the team that we want to be, and we’re all in on it.”
Bontempelli backed his coach Luke Beveridge, while recognising there needs to be a shared responsibility.
“It’s been a tough season on the field and off the field. What we expect of each other, what we set out to do – it’s a shared responsibility,” the skipper said.
“We’re the boys that get out there and obviously play and influence the results, and clearly (Bevo) and all the coaches set a plan for what we think will ultimately succeed.
“We’ve got to share the responsibility in that – it’s not up to one individual. Often he’ll take the wrap for a poor performance, and that’s who he is - he’s a loyal person.
“He will support this playing group and our players to whatever length he can, and we’ve got to do that for him.”
Feeling the frustrations that the red, white and blue faithful are experiencing, Bontempelli urged the fans and members to stick true.
“Obviously you want people to be proud of the brand of football you’ve played – that’s something that’s probably been hard for our supporters to do at every point this year,” he said.
“It’s a key element of why we play the game – you want people to support you and be proud of your efforts, especially when you pull on the jumper.
“I understand there’s frustration from within and from outside with regards to where we’d rather be from a season perspective.
“Stick with us. We’ve been through tough times, and have probably been through tougher times at different points. It’s often the people and supporters that can help you really get through.”
