Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has taken a glass-half-full view of a difficult season after losing Saturday’s elimination final to St Kilda.
Beveridge has been encouraged by his regenerating AFL side’s signs of growth this season despite bombing out.
The Dogs were outclassed by St Kilda during the middle period of Saturday’s do-or-die contest at the Gabba and their brave fightback in the final term – when they kicked four goals to one – ultimately fell three-points short.
It meant an exit in the first week of the finals for the second straight season for the Bulldogs, who have not won a final since the 2016 premiership.
“It’s been a really tough campaign,” Beveridge said post-match, reflecting on a season of unprecedented challenges for all clubs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I couldn’t be any prouder. I couldn’t commend our players any more for the way that they persevered throughout the course of the year.
“We know that improvement and development isn’t linear, and off the back of last year we would’ve liked to have had a much better start.
“We know it was muddled, we know we were disappointing early, but there’s been significant growth in our year.
“I won’t give it a grade but I’m encouraged by it and we’re enthusiastic about our future with our group.”
Beveridge said the Bulldogs would not have time for a standard review of the elimination-final defeat, with players who are leaving Queensland required to get out within two days.
The club also needs to conduct exit interviews with players.
Beveridge tipped changes over the off-season as the Bulldogs continue to evolve their list in a bid to climb back into serious premiership contention.
Highly touted teenager Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – a member of the Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy – is one player expected to arrive at the Kennel via the draft to boost the club’s future prospects.
“Our team will change significantly,” Beveridge said.
“By the time we get to Round 1, there’s probably going to be six different players in this team.
“We’ve got to keep bolstering our list with the attributes in the way the game’s played.”
© AAP
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