WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has urged Ballarat to stick with his developing side, despite a poor showing against Melbourne in its debut home game in the city.
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As the Bulldogs set about trying to secure a stronghold in Ballarat and win over western Victoria, their first half of the NAB Challenge match at Eureka Stadium on Saturday was anything but inspiring.
They trailed Melbourne by 45 points at half-time, had kicked just one goal and their possession count had been more than doubled by the AFL’s whipping boys of recent years.
The atmosphere in front of about 5000 spectators was flat and the Bulldogs’ plan to make Ballarat their second home could not have gotten off to a worse start.
A number of big names had also been rested for the occasion, including million-dollar man Tom Boyd, captain Bob Murphy and Ballarat’s own Jordan Roughead, leaving seven draftees among a barely recognisable side.
What unfolded in the first half was a one-way procession that was hardly getting the people of Ballarat onside.
But then something changed in the tempo of the game and, according to Beveridge, the Western Bulldogs finally started to give positive signs as to what lies ahead in the future.
The Bulldogs kicked eight goals to two in the second half to go down to the Demons by seven points.
Beveridge said although the players were not explicitly told they needed to show something in Ballarat, the importance of a good performance could not be underestimated.
“We want the region to embrace us, we want to have a positive impact, and the first half didn’t send all the positive signals to our supporters,” he said.
“We thought we would be a lot closer at half-time than what we were, but I think everyone understands today was a day where we were giving individuals an opportunity to play the way we want to play.
“Hopefully, at the end of the game we have sent a reasonably positive signal to the region that we will play up here and play well.”
Beveridge said although the likes of Boyd, Roughead or Murphy – as well as a
handful of other walk-up starters – could have played if it was a home-and-away match, their workload in the pre-season had already been considerable.
He said there was no temptation to play any big names to try and win over the Ballarat crowd.
“No, there wasn’t (any consideration given to playing them); they have had a fair workload already,” the coach said.
“The boys who didn’t play will play next week against Collingwood.
“We were always going to give our younger players an opportunity, and they’ve been great.”
The Bulldogs plan to play AFL matches for premiership points in Ballarat by 2017, dependent on a government promise to build a 6000-seat grandstand at Eureka Stadium.
patrick.nolan@fairfaxmedia.com.au
