Voss queries Bulldogs' tactics on Blues

THE Western Bulldogs’ efforts to curb the influence of Carlton star Jacob Weitering have drawn a sharp comment from Blues coach Michael Voss.

One of the keys to the Bulldogs’ upset 14-point AFL win over second-placed Carlton on Saturday at Marvel Stadium was the outstanding game from their key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

He kicked four goals after being well-beaten by Weitering at the start of the game.

Concerned about Weitering’s intercept marking, the Bulldogs made sure Ugle-Hagan worked hard defensively.

Small forward Cody Weightman also tried to help out, giving away a couple of free kicks as he flew for the ball against Weitering.

The Blues star was in clear pain after one of those marking contests midway through the game, when Weightman flew too early and caught Weitering with some heavy contact.

Asked if his defensive general was hurt, Voss replied: “He’s fine – it’s what happens when you get knocked in the back a few times when maybe you’re not supposed to.”

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said his team were mindful of Carlton’s Jacob Weitering as a threat to their game plan.

Voss then declined to elaborate on his comment.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge readily conceded that the Bulldogs identified Weitering as a massive threat.

“In the first quarter, we needed to pay attention to what Jacob Weitering was doing. He was intercepting too much football and it was largely off the back of Jamarra,” Beveridge said.

“We needed to make some adjustments and Jamarra needed to think about his game in a technical way, around some negating and some halving that’s okay.

“Jacob still played a really good game for them as a backman. But as the game went on, Cody took on a bit of that responsibility … it helped us get the game on our terms.

“Then ‘Marra started to flourish.”

Caleb Poulter of the Bulldogs under pressure from the Blues’ Jacob Weitering.

Beveridge added that Weightman had flown too early for marks a couple of times, but privately the ‘Dogs did not think they had gone too far in trying to negate Weitering.

“He overdid it a little bit and he got a couple of free kicks against him for flying early, which were unrealistic attempts,” Beveridge said of Weightman.

“It was just his effort to make sure Jacob didn’t mark the footy.

“We ended up pulling the pin on that, in the last quarter in particular.

“‘Flea’ (Weightman) was really wound up and caught up in that … he played a really selfless role.”

-ROGER VAUGHAN/AAP