Footscray is putting on its serious face this season in the Victorian Rugby Union.
A neutral observer will have long been drawn to the Bulldogs’ matches for their ability to make highlight-reel plays and produce an up-tempo style, and for their daring use of the ball.
But this has proven more of a sideshow than a premiership formula.
The fact remains that the Bulldogs’ last Dewar Shield premiership came all the way back in 1937 so it’s simply not working at the business end of a campaign.
For the Bulldogs to break the drought, new coach Justin Carroll told his players they must embrace change.
Carroll is not totally against the Bulldogs using their flair, which can be a strength when applied at the right times, but he wants them to temper it.
Gone are the days when the roll-the-dice long pass in the defensive half will be accepted.
“They’ve got a natural flair about them and they want to throw the ball around,” Carroll told Star Weekly.
“What we’re trying to do this year is choose the right time when to use that flair.
“We’re trying to play a little more structured and a little more conservative but, when it’s time to go, we have the ability to do that.
“Last year, they lost a number of games by a try or less, and a lot of that was on the back of errors from throwing the ball around.
“We’re trying to instil into the group when is the time to be flamboyant and when is the time to be conservative,” he said.
Carroll could be seen as the fun police at the kennel. He admits the new approach can at times be considered “boring” when lined up against highlights packages of yesteryear but, he says, “it’s a means to an end”.
“The bottom line is, nothing will be acceptable this year unless we make the semi-finals and from there it’s a new season,” he said.
“When you look at our roster, you look at our size, you look at the ability that we’ve got, a semi-final position was our global target.
“The group has the faith; they honestly believe we can beat anyone.”
The Bulldogs will embrace the grind this season. There will be more ball in the hands of the forward pack and less margin for error.
“We’re trying to use our strengths, in particular our big forward pack,” Carroll said.
“We’re just trying to rumble over the top of our opponents first and foremost.”
The grind is working. The Bulldogs are undefeated in three games with two wins and a draw following Saturday’s 24-10 win over Power House at Loft Reserve.
“I’m happy with the way we’re progressing, but we’ve still got a long way to go,” Carroll said.
English imports Harry Key, at flyhalf, and Danny Hartwell, at number eight, have been superb additions for the Bulldogs, while Martin Naufahu and Frank Amituanai are the pick of the established players.
Young fullback Iasaiah Leota, the son of Trevor Leota, a Samoan international who played his club rugby with Wasps, Free State Cheetahs and Stade Montois, has been a revelation.
