Aquamarinejewel
11 Jul 2007, 20:09
As the title tells us, injuries are no excuse.....
Injuries no excuse against Bombers: Eade (http://news.realfooty.com.au/injuries-no-excuse-against-bombers-eade/20073911-n5l.html)
The Age
July 11, 2007 - 4:27PM
No Scott West, no Daniel Cross and probably no Chris Grant, but Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says there is still no excuse for not beating Essendon in Saturday night's AFL match at Telstra Dome.
Only percentage separates the Bulldogs (seventh) and Bombers (eighth), who are among four teams on 8-6 win-loss records.
Given the closeness of the ladder, Eade described this weekend's fixture as a "mini-final" and the first of many crucial big games in the run up to the finals.
"In that situation both teams would be ... full-stream ahead," Eade said.
"I think teams will have that really for the next eight rounds, it's that even the competition and it's going to ebb and flow.
"The good thing for us and the teams who are a only a game out or just right on it, I think the future is in your own control."
Gun midfielder West has been ruled out with a groin strain he suffered against Port Adelaide last week, while Cross and Ryan Griffen remain on the sidelines with knee injuries.
But Eade did not rule out the possibility Grant could make a full recovery from a hamstring strain and line up against the Bombers.
The 34-year-old Grant did not train at Wednesday's closed session at Whitten Oval. "Grant is in doubt, so we don't know whether he'll play. I won't really know 'till Friday," Eade said.
"Injuries or suspension is no excuse for any team. We've had our fair share and we coped well last year."
The Bulldogs picked up their third win from the past four matches last week, overcoming a fast-finishing Port Adelaide in a performance Eade said had given the team plenty of confidence.
"Our problem this year has been our inconsistency," Eade said.
"We've had some big games the last few weeks and we've won three of the last four and we just need to keep winning.
"I think it's just the importance of each game and hopefully that importance is able to get the players really focused on winning.
Injuries no excuse against Bombers: Eade (http://news.realfooty.com.au/injuries-no-excuse-against-bombers-eade/20073911-n5l.html)
The Age
July 11, 2007 - 4:27PM
No Scott West, no Daniel Cross and probably no Chris Grant, but Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says there is still no excuse for not beating Essendon in Saturday night's AFL match at Telstra Dome.
Only percentage separates the Bulldogs (seventh) and Bombers (eighth), who are among four teams on 8-6 win-loss records.
Given the closeness of the ladder, Eade described this weekend's fixture as a "mini-final" and the first of many crucial big games in the run up to the finals.
"In that situation both teams would be ... full-stream ahead," Eade said.
"I think teams will have that really for the next eight rounds, it's that even the competition and it's going to ebb and flow.
"The good thing for us and the teams who are a only a game out or just right on it, I think the future is in your own control."
Gun midfielder West has been ruled out with a groin strain he suffered against Port Adelaide last week, while Cross and Ryan Griffen remain on the sidelines with knee injuries.
But Eade did not rule out the possibility Grant could make a full recovery from a hamstring strain and line up against the Bombers.
The 34-year-old Grant did not train at Wednesday's closed session at Whitten Oval. "Grant is in doubt, so we don't know whether he'll play. I won't really know 'till Friday," Eade said.
"Injuries or suspension is no excuse for any team. We've had our fair share and we coped well last year."
The Bulldogs picked up their third win from the past four matches last week, overcoming a fast-finishing Port Adelaide in a performance Eade said had given the team plenty of confidence.
"Our problem this year has been our inconsistency," Eade said.
"We've had some big games the last few weeks and we've won three of the last four and we just need to keep winning.
"I think it's just the importance of each game and hopefully that importance is able to get the players really focused on winning.