The Western Bulldogs promise to be a challenging round one test for the Fremantle Dockers, according to defensive coach Michael Prior.
The Bulldogs surprised the football world last year, jumping from 14th in 2014 to 6th on the AFL ladder and playing a highly attacking brand of football.
While they averaged nearly 100 points a game in 2015, Prior said their potent attack started with their defence.
“If you look at their half backs, the likes of (Robert) Murphy, (Jason) Johannisen, handball receives and running out of the back line is a real key to their game,” Prior said.
“Our small forwards are going to really need to put the pressure on, lock them in as well as chase when they do get out.
“It’s a big challenge.”
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While the speed of the Bulldogs attack is impressive, Prior said their fast paced nature poses an opportunity for Freo to respond on the counter attack.
“The way they move the ball, we want to catch them out, take it off them and get the ball moving the other way,” he said.
While the Bulldogs will be looking to apply their usual brand of ‘slingshot’ football, Prior said the importance of the slower moments of the game shouldn’t be disregarded.
“At times during the game it won’t be all helter skelter out there,” he said.
“It’s going to have to slow down which is something we’ll also have to keep in the back of our mind.”
