GOLDEN Square coach Bernie Haberman has praised his side’s ability to adapt to change in the wake of the Bulldogs’ 29-point win over arch-rival Sandhurst on Saturday.
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The Bulldogs’ team has become somewhat of a revolving door, with 25 changes over the past five rounds and the club having now used 40 players after just 10 games.
Saturday’s side that defeated the Dragons 14.9 (93) to 9.10 (64) at Wade Street featured three changes from the week before, including the inclusion of two first-gamers in Harry McCormick, who kicked a goal in the first term, and Thomson Goode.
“It feels like there needs to be a tipping point where you just can’t keep replacing players and making mass changes,” Haberman said.
“Today was the least changes we’ve had in five weeks, which was three. It’s not making any excuses, but history will tell you that continuity is a key to success.
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“Having had five, five, five, seven and three changes would suggest it has to eventually catch up with you.
“Again we’re going to be having to make more changes next week because Hamish (Morcom, shoulder) is going to be missing for four to five weeks, but that’s just part of footy.
“We knew today was going to be a real challenge, which it was. I thought we looked fairly tired at three quarter-time and would have to hold them off, but we finished really strong in the last quarter.
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“Our last-quarter numbers around ground balls and uncontested marks were the most we had for the game, which showed our work-rate remained really high, which I’m really proud of.”
The Dragons, who are now 5-5, slipped a game out of the top five with the defeat.
“Square just had too many winners on the ground and we had too many non-contributors. Square showed again just how hard they are to beat at Wade Street and we’re left with our tail between our legs,” said Dragons coach Andrew Collins, who kicked two goals.
Collins expects midfielder Adam Parry to return from an AC joint injury next week against South Bendigo, while defender Jake Pallpratt, who injured a hamstring on Thursday night, will miss at least another game.