Following the Dogs’ win over the Sydney Swans, coach Rodney Eade said that, having sewn up a top-four spot, they would now get games into their less experienced players.
“It’s an interesting one,” Dew said of Eade's comments.
“We’re looking forward to the next four weeks and each one as it comes because guys are playing for their spots," Dew said.
"I don’t think you want to flirt with your form and think too far ahead. The competition’s too good for that. Sides that have shown no respect to lesser sides have been found out so we look forward to the next four weeks of trying to settle the side and get your performance and your match play right.”
The former Port Adelaide premiership player warned of the dangers of planning too far ahead.
“I think when you start looking ahead that’s when people can get injured if they’re taking it a little bit easy, guys get complacent and that’s not what you need at this time of year," Dew said.
If that’s how they want to prepare for [the finals], that’s up to them. But like we have all year, we’ll worry about our own preparation.”
Dew’s said he often got queries about finals time from the squad’s younger players.
“Certainly when I first got here I was bombarded with a few questions," Dew said.
"They’re starting to ask a few questions again and getting keen and a bit toey. I think it’s the enthusiasm of the group. The important thing with finals is not to get too nervous and just treat it like it’s another week that they get a chance to show their stuff.”
