Unbeaten Western Bulldogs showing traits of 2016 premiership team, says midfielder Jack Macrae
Midfielder Jack Macrae believes there are shades of 2016 about the way Western Bulldogs have spread the load and not relied on a few players during the opening two games.
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Western Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae believes there are shades of 2016 about the way his side has spread the load and not relied on just a few players across the opening two games this season.
Heading into a clash against Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on Sunday, the Bulldogs sit 2-0 after taking the scalps of 2018 finalists Sydney and Hawthorn over the opening rounds, having finished last season with just eight wins.
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A member of the Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership side, Macrae said the team was playing as one and not relying on individuals.
“We spoke a lot about the even spread across the group and that’s stood out a lot to me the first two weeks,” Macrae said.
“There hasn’t been five really good players carrying us across the line, it’s been a really great even spread. Looking back at 2016, that’s all we had really.
“We are a real tight group at the moment and we’ve had a lot of people come through the doors so it’s a great testament to all the people who have come in and bought in really quickly. I’ve really enjoyed the past two weeks.”
Macrae said the return of Tom Liberatore — who make his teammates “walk taller” — had also been pivotal to the change of fortunes, as well as Josh Schache and Aaron Naughton standing up and providing targets inside-50.
“Just to have those targets who pop up and kick goals is really big for us,” Macrae said.
“Last year Billy Gowers had a great year but he was our leading goalkicker and he only kicked 26 goals.”
Originally published as Unbeaten Western Bulldogs showing traits of 2016 premiership team, says midfielder Jack Macrae
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