All-Australian defender Caleb Daniel is unconcerned with the Western Bulldogs’ sluggish start to the season, adamant they are close to turning the corner.
The Bulldogs blew an opportunitxjmtzywy to win back-to-back matches and level their season ledger last week against Richmond, kicking 6.17 to three-quarter time and 7.19 in total to lose by 38 points.
That defeat, which followed them kicking 9.17 in a winning effort against Sydney, put Daniel and his teammates in a 1-3 hole but he saw promising signs in the first four rounds despite their unwanted record.
“It’s OK, because we’re playing some half-decent footy. We’ve been in every game and had a chance to win,” he said.
“We’ve had shots and we’re looking at the positives of how we’re playing as a team, so that’s been great.
“It’s tough when it’s not going through the big sticks and we’re not putting scoreboard pressure on, but I think that will turn and as long as we’re playing some good footy, it’s positive times around the club.”
The Dogs spent some extra time practising their goalkicking at the Kennel this week ahead of their Good Friday Super Clash with North Melbourne but Daniel said the best approach was just to “reset”.
The 25-year-old admitted to being frustrated watching the constant misses from the other end.
“No-one’s going out there to miss a kick and miss the goals, so we’re trying our hardest and that’s the main thing,” he said.
“It’s positive that we’re getting shots at goal and getting inside 50s and playing some pretty good team footy, so hopefully that turns around pretty quickly.”
Zaine Cordy (concussion) and Mitch Hannan (illness) are set to return for the Bulldogs, while young pair Eddie Ford and Paul Curtis are among the options to replace Cam Zurhaar (concussion) at North Melbourne.
