Bulldogs’ Viliame Kikau and captain Stephen Crichton are calling for the team to fix its “too comfortable” mindset as they head into the final stretch of the season.
The Bulldogs have had an up-and-down month, alternating between strong wins over Manly and the Warriors and disappointing losses to the Tigers and Roosters.
This inconsistency, according to Kikau, comes from a lack of effort.
“Just some of the areas that we pride ourselves on, all the effort areas, that came up a few times,” Kikau said after reviewing the loss to the Roosters.
“That’s been addressed and hopefully it doesn’t happen again.”
Crichton agreed that the problem is mental, not physical.
“It’s kind of tapping into that mindset, where your mindset was in those two good games and where that mindset was in the two bad games,” he said.
The Bulldogs’ season will be defined by the next seven weeks, not the past seven months, Crichton warned.
“We were playing really good footy at the start of the year but no one remembers what happens at the start of the year. It’s where we are right now and the opportunity right in front of us is very special.”
The team’s senior players are taking charge to ensure there is no complacency when they face the Storm.
“As leaders of the group, we try and address it straight away so we don’t get that in the team,” Kikau said.
“Hopefully there’s none this week.”
Source: Australian Associated Press
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