MELBOURNE’S Jeff White says “bad habits” are to blame for the Demons’ failure to adopt Dean Bailey’s new game plan.
The club is still searching for its first win after six rounds but the 31-year-old ruckman is confident an improvement in the team’s skill level can bring their first victory of 2008 against Fremantle on Sunday at the MCG.
“You can get all the training techniques, all the game styles right on the track but once you get out on the park you tend to go back to bad habits and I think that’s what’s happening,” he said.
“We’re excited about learning a new style and minimising the skill errors to get our confidence going. Hopefully that’s not too far away and that the supporters out there will stick with us because we’re all in it together.”
The AFL’s only winless club take on Fremantle at the MCG on Sunday. Last year’s fixture attracted just 16,654 fans and White has urged the Dees’ faithful to turn out in numbers for the clash.
“The message that we’re trying to get across is stick with us because Hawthorn went through this a couple of years ago and look where they’re at,” he said.
“And their supporters stuck with them so that’s the message we’re trying to give the red and blue (faithful).”
For White, playing against his old club Fremantle is always an occasion he relishes.
“I always look forward to it …that’s where I started my footy career and I’ve got a lot of memories from there …it’s going to be a great contest,” he said.
“Freo don’t get many opportunities to play at the ‘G’ so I’m sure that they’ll be very excited. I know when I was at Freo, I was pumped to play at the ‘G’.”
While the Demons’ season hasn’t been going well, one positive for White is his selection for the 40-man Victorian squad to take on the Dream Team in the Hall of Fame Tribute match on May 10.
“When I was growing up, playing state of origin was always a dream of mine …throughout my career it hasn’t been available so it was wonderful to be selected in the squad of 40, it would be a wonderful opportunity to play next week.”
