Bulldogs focused on controllables ahead of Mars showdown

A MORE positive mindset has been the key to the Ballarat-bound Western Bulldogs AFLW team’s second half of season resurgence, says fearless midfielder Dominque Carruthers.

The Bulldogs, who clash with Geelong at Mars Stadium this Sunday 26 October, will head into a must-win contest full of confidence following a 66-point thrashing of Gold Coast Suns in Mackay last Sunday.

It was the third victory from their past four games, and statistically a standout one.

The 10.12 (72) to 0.6 (6) was both the Bulldogs’ second highest score and second highest winning margin in their AFLW history.

More importantly, it kept the club’s faint finals hopes alive.

“We have been focusing on taking in moments – that’s been a big theme around the club for us both individually and as a team,” she said.

“It’s a cliché, but we are taking it one game at a time and just trying to consolidate our game plan each week.

“It’s probably less about focusing on the outcome and more about enjoying the process and trying to get those habits right, so we can build a really strong future for the years to come.

“Obviously we have quite a young group and it’s probably just started to click.

“We have been going over the same things throughout the year, but it looks like it’s sunk in.

“We do have a bit of a theme of hitting our straps halfway through the season.”

Impressively, the Bulldogs’ past three wins over the Suns, Collingwood and Essendon have come by an average of 60 points.

The only blemish in the last month came against Port Adelaide by 19 points at the Adelaide Oval on October 4.

Geelong is coming off a 31-point loss to sixth-placed West Coast, but boasts a similar 4-6 win-loss record to the Bulldogs.

While the Bulldogs know plenty has to go right if they are to play finals, including winning both remaining games, Carruthers insisted the playing group was remaining grounded and matter-of-fact.

“Being a younger side, it’s easy to get carried away with the notion that maybe we can make finals,” she said.

“And obviously we would be stoked to make finals.

“But it’s more about focusing on what we can control, which is winning this weekend and winning the following weekend and letting the ladder take care of itself.”

She is, however, adamant the Bulldogs’ very best was good enough to compete on the finals stage.

“The fact we were able to beat (unbeaten) North Melbourne in our first practice match shows what’s capable. They are the benchmark,” she said.

“They have obviously had sustained success and we were able to take it to them.

“(Last) weekend was our second biggest score in history, which is really exciting.

“The sky’s the limit really, and that’s what’s exciting, there’s a lot more growth for us to make.

“We missed so many opportunities, but were still able to put a really strong score away.”

 

In her third year with the Bulldogs, Carruthers, who has relished more time as an inside midfielder in recent weeks, said the Bulldogs were thrilled to be returning their home away from home in Ballarat, where they defeated St Kilda by 15 points last season.

The win was underpinned by big performances by five-time club champion Ellie Blackburn and ruck Alice Edmonds.

The Bulldogs’ commitment to the region included a two-day AFLW Community camp in the city in June this year.

“Personally I’m super-excited to be heading to Ballarat, but so is the whole team – there’s a real buzz around the club, which is awesome,” Carruthers said.

“We had a great win in Ballarat last year against the Saints, so there’s only good thoughts.

“It was kind of a similar story last year, we were coming off a good run, after a few good wins.

“Hopefully, we can replicate that.

“We always love coming to Ballarat. We’ve had so many school visits and we just love getting over there.

“It’s become a home away from home, which is really nice.”

The Bulldogs-Cats clash at Mars Stadium kicks off at 1.05pm. Visit ticketmaster.com.au/event/130062D48BA50C72 for tickets.