Eade's studies stack up
31/05/2008 8:07 PM
Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade believes the extra homework he did on Hawthorn paid dividends when his team picked up its eighth win of the season on Saturday afternoon.
The Dogs shut down the Hawks at the stoppages, dominated the clearances and used the ball cleverly in defeating their previously unbeaten opponents by 32 points in impressive style.
Eade said he had watched Hawthorn's previous matches many times over during the week and he had gained a lot of information from doing so.
"We were very focused on the fact that they didn't have a loose man," Eade told Fox Sports after the match.
"We had to put pressure on the ball carrier. They like to switch direction a lot and we were very focused on their outlet power. We held them up on the mark and they were forced to chip the ball."
The Dogs certainly made Hawthorn work hard for every disposal, but it was their pressure on the ball carrier and ferocious tackling that impressed Eade the most.
"On (tackling) stats we are 15th in the competition but we think our pressure has been pretty good this year," Eade said.
"We really laid a focus on it this week and the players did a fantastic job. It was a great team effort and across the board I thought everyone contributed."
It wasn't all good news for the Dogs though, with underrated defender Tim Callan injuring his hamstring and captain Brad Johnson receiving a cut above his eye.
While Johnson returned to the ground and will play next week, Callan will be monitored closely before a decision is made on his availability for the Dogs next game against St Kilda on June 8.