Bulldogs expect big effort from Demons - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Bulldogs expect big effort from Demons

By Leonard Siragusa 09/07/2008 05:18:11 PM Comments (0)

Western Bulldogs captain Brad Johnson believes there is no danger of complacency when his side takes on the AFL's cellar dwellers Melbourne on Sunday.

The Bulldogs annihilated the Demons by 95 points in round two and sit second on the ladder, with just one loss.

But Johnson said the Demons had improved since their past meeting and his side would not be underestimating them after their stirring one-point win over Brisbane.

"Did you see their last game?" Johnson asked. "They played pretty good footy.

"Their last month of footy has been pretty good. They've been competitive and that's why it's an important game.

"They'll be super competitive and we'll have to be on our game to match that and hopefully get on top."

Johnson said the Dogs were determined to contain any excitement over the prospect of breaking their 54-year premiership drought.

"It is exciting the way we have started the season but I've been around long enough to know as a group we can't get ahead of ourselves," Johnson said.

"The group's driving themselves in that area. Rocket (Dogs coach Rodney Eade) puts that in our minds and we certainly follow it as a group and speak about it a fair bit.

"It's really the group taking ownership of where we're going, not one or two people."

Meanwhile, Johnson paid tribute to consistent midfielder Daniel Cross, who notches his 100th AFL game against the Demons.

Cross, drafted in 2000, struggled for opportunities in his first three years at the club, prompting thoughts of a move.

"When he first started you weren't sure whether he would make it. He had to do a lot of work on his skills," Johnson said.

"His determination and drive is just massive and that's why he's become one of the elite midfielders in the competition because of the way he prepares and developed himself as a player.

"He'll certainly play 200 for this club and will be up there as one of our best midfielders and in the league as well.

"I'm glad he didn't leave. The opportunity at the start was tough for him and that's why he was super motivated and keen to cement his spot in the side.

"His workrate's enormous and he is getting the rewards for that now which is great to see."

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