Bulldogs want lift, Lions aim to stay up - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Bulldogs want lift, Lions aim to stay up

Sam Lienert 02/04/2011 03:06:52 PM Comments (0)

The Western Bulldogs are after a major attitude lift, while Brisbane want to maintain the rage.

The two sides clash at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, looking to bounce back from very different opening round AFL losses.

The Dogs were poor in numerous areas in their shock thrashing by Essendon

Forward Jarrad Grant says most of those - like tackling, running hard and pressuring the opposition - are all about attitude.

"Pressure and defensive acts are definitely a mindset," Grant told AAP.

"It's something that each player needs to want to do.

"It's been driven into us this week and I think you'll see a different intent in our forward half this week.

"If we're not doing it, we're not going to win games."

Their star-studded midfield was well-beaten by lower-profile Bombers counterparts.

"You'll find that a different midfield come out this week and proves to the onlookers that we're still a force to be reckoned with," Grant said.

Another concern is they spent the pre-season working to improve at holding the ball in attack, but failed dismally at it against the Bombers.

"We only laid I think one tackle for the game inside 50, which is really disappointing, that's obviously a focus."

The Lions, by contrast, put up a brave fight against Fremantle at the Gabba last weekend, but lost narrowly, hurt by injuries and critical late umpiring decisions.

Reeling from long-term injuries to captain Jonathan Brown and utility Brent Staker, coach Michael Voss says it is vital they maintain that desperation.

"When you go to war and guys work their absolute backsides off to get a win and you don't get it, you walk away upset and crook (in the) guts," Voss said.

"But it's got to drive you for motivation, the players are in form, their confident, we've just got to replicate the same effort.

"If we can get that then I know we'll be more than competitive."

Voss acknowledged Brown's loss posed a big challenge.

But he noted they had spent the pre-season without him, as the skipper battled fitness concerns, and had already known they could not afford to rely on one player.

The off-season exodus of Jarred Brennan, Michael Rischitelli, Brendan Fevola and Justin Sherman already had the squad were-rehearsed at focussing on the players they had at their disposal, not on what they had lost, Voss said.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

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