Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says his teams unexpected 2016 premiership has not done anyone a favour, claiming it has put unrealistic flag expectations on young teams.
The Dogs have become one of the more mystifying storylines of recent years, for they now appear almost certain to miss the finals for the second straight season since their breakthrough premiership.
Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge with his players at the break during their loss to Melbourne.
Photo: AAP
They needed to defeat the surging Demons at Etihad Stadium on Saturday to remain in touch with the top eight but were crunched by 49 points, leaving them with only four wins heading into the bye.
Beveridge said the parity of the competition meant he was not surprised the Dogs appeared to already be out of finals contention, and then elaborated about what he felt had become unrealistic expectations on young teams.
I think we are always better than that – I dont think surprise is the word. Its just the real world, he replied when asked if he had been shocked by the Dogs fall.
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I think in the back half of this season, I still believe there is no reason why we cant pick it up and have a run at it [the finals]. There is still a glimmer there. People will say, What are you talking about? But thats the way I think. Its not really a surprise thing because the competition has become tighter.
I think what we did in 16 hasnt done anyone a favour. It probably hasnt done us a favour because everyone just thinks they can win it every year. Richmond were extraordinarily good last year and people just expect the Bulldogs can win it this year. Whether we can or we cant, that remains to be seen.
Thats where other clubs are now under pressure when they shouldnt be. The expectation around some of the clubs that have been down and how quickly they should climb is maybe because of what we did in 16. Maybe thats not possible or even practical.
Some Bulldog bosses feared the potential for the team to slide quickly after a premiership built on manic pressure, but it wasnt a view shared by Beveridge.
Some might have thought that way, when you consider how we won it, why we won it, where we won it and how it was a bit unusual. If you attempt to be a realist and think whether or not that was sustainable, then I can see how the notion was there, that it was going to be tough, he said.
I always see things as glass half full and the growth is still there.
Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
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