After a pre-season that has failed to register a win, the Western Bulldogs’ stars returned to help the Dogs notch their first win for 2009, a 38-point win over Melbourne at Casey Fields.
“I wasn’t too worried about the actual result,” said Eade after the match.
“I thought our process in the second half was a lot better, there was some good signs there [which] obviously manifested into scoring opportunities.”
Several established Bulldogs had solid hit-outs in wet and difficult conditions on Saturday, but it was the consistency of effort across the park that impressed the coach.
“We’re happy with an even spread and amount of goal shots,” Eade said.
“In football, you have to win the footy, do something with it and put pressure on the opposition. I think in those three areas we’re pretty pleased.”
The Bulldogs are hopeful of having their best 22 available for the round one trip to Fremantle, how-ever there is some doubt over star forward Robert Murphy, who pulled up sore during the third quarter.
“Murph is a bit sore, I don’t know how he’ll go. Time will tell,” he said.
Another star, Brownlow Medalist Adam Cooney, was also endorsed by his coach who believes he will return to the form that saw him take out the game’s highest individual honour in 2008.
