AFL 2020: Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge knows five more wins could be needed to play finals
Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli has become “a really complete” player according to his coach who said the Dogs have no wriggle room if they want to play finals.
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Adding aerial prowess has made Marcus Bontempelli a “a really complete” player according to Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, who said his team had to win every remaining game to play finals.
The Bulldogs are eyeing off several key inclusions for Saturday’s mouth-watering, must-win showdown with Melbourne, including speedster Jason Johannisen, Hayden Crozier and Matt Suckling who are all in the frame to return.
Ruckman Tim English, who tweaked his ankle in last week’s big win over Adelaide, trained on Thursday and could play against the Demons. But Beveridge said they wouldn’t take risks with anyone who was not 100 per cent.
Bontempelli earned a perfect 10 in the AFL coaches association votes last week after his starring role against the Crows.
Beveridge said his skipper had been “very influential” in many areas this year, including growing into his captaincy responsibilities.
The coach said Bontempelli had added a significant contested mark component to his game, now ranking equal with Geelong star Patrick Dangerfield, to become a complete player.
“He’s been very, very influential this year. He’s had to grow into his captaincy responsibilities and juggle an inauspicious start to the year for the team to try and speak through actions and words, and he’s come through that with flying colours,” Beveridge said on Thursday.
“We had him forward at different times and that’s not necessarily an intention we want to follow through on. We do it here and there, but it’s also to manage the load.
“Last week his game was such a rounded, complete performance – he had nine tackles, 12 clearances – that added to his possessions and the quality of what he did with the ball.
“What he’s added to his game this year is an aerial component. It has been there, but he hasn’t really established himself as an aerial threat. He has taken more contested marks in recent times, and he can impose himself in different situations where he hasn’t necessarily in the past.
“He’s becoming that really complete player.”
Marcus Bontempelli spoke to the media following our weekend win. Hear what he had to say... 🗣#MightyWest
— Western B_lldogs (@westernbulldogs) August 18, 2020
Sitting 10th on the ladder, outside the eight on percentage, Beveridge conceded his team would probably have to win all five of the remaining games this season to play finals.
But he thinks they are well placed as they have been all year, with a shrinking injury list and players in form, to do that.
“We’ve got a really healthy list, and it’s a credit to the boys to stay on top of things both mentally and ultimately physically,” Beveridge said.
“We would have loved to have won a couple more games ad been in a better position … we just haven’t been able to beat some of the better teams, and that’s what we aspire to do.
“We’ve got some opportunities coming up which will test us again. Melbourne are above us on the ladder and look to be more on top of their game.
“I don’t think we can afford to drop too many (games) at all. I’d rather not put a number on it. But we haven’t got any wriggle room really. We’d like to win all five.”
Originally published as AFL 2020: Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge knows five more wins could be needed to play finals