FOOTSCRAY is enduring a baptism of fire in its first season of Hockey Victoria men’s state league 1.
The newly promoted Bulldogs have leaked an inordinate amount of goals in the past fortnight to sit rock-bottom as the only winless side after three matches.
The Bulldogs were thrashed 7-2 by Mentone on the road on Sunday.
Bulldogs coach Travis Brooks pre-empted a rough start before the season so is not totally shocked by the rocky beginning to his coaching career.
“I’m not overly worried. We’ve tried to put some things in place for this season and we’re looking long term with our approach.
“As we start to get an understanding of what’s expected and get familiar with the new structure that I’m introducing, I’m expecting those goals to become less frequent and that number declining.
“The guys are learning and there’s going to be a couple of mixed results early on.”
The Bulldogs were trailing by a massive five goals at half-time after being barely competitive in the opening 35 minutes and Brooks let his team know how he felt.
“I gave them a bit of a rocket at half-time to try and spur them on. I questioned them [on why the game plan was not being executed] and there were no answers.”
The answers came in the form of action by the Bulldogs.
They produced a much better showing in the second half as both sides scored two goals apiece.
“We were chalk and cheese in our performances between the two halves,” Brooks said.
“We saw some really good signs, but at the moment we’re doing it for 25 to 30 minutes.
“The challenge for the playing group is to continue to work at it and be disciplined in prolonging the execution of the game structure for the full 70 minutes.”
Oscar Allan and Tynan Whight scored the goals for the Bulldogs.
Ashley Bannan, recently back from Victorian duties at the under-18 national championships, played a starring role in getting his side to be competitive after the break.
“He was probably the catalyst in getting the group going in the second half and playing at the tempo that’s required,” Brooks said.
The Bulldogs get their first crack at last year’s premiers and Brooks’ former club Waverley in the fourth round at McIvor Reserve on Saturday.
Brooks says his side won’t sit back and defend but rather take the game to the champions and try to catch them off guard.
“We definitely won’t be sitting back and letting them take it to us.
Meanwhile, Footscray picked up its first point in women’s state league 1 after a 3-3 draw with Mentone.
Sam Ellis had the hot stick with two goals for the Bulldogs.
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