2010 is a year that many Bulldogs players and fans will want to forget, given their preliminary final berth in 2009, and the Dogs fans are relying on Kevin Moore to deliver the goods in season 2011.
As the Bulldogs enter the 2011 season with several new additions to the side, both the players and coach are under pressure, and the fans will most likely not expect anything else but a finals berth in 2011.
Whilst 2010 was a disaster year for the Bulldogs, with several new additions at their club, the expectations are now on the Bulldogs to perform with Greg Eastwood, Frank Pritchard, Kris Keating, Trent Hodkinson and Aiden Tolman just some of the new additions.
“I’ve been around this club for a long time, and my expectation is we’ll be successful year in, year out,” said Moore.
“I think the expectations we have as individuals, and as a group, is what’s important. We have to put pressure on ourselves to perform.”
The fans are an integral part of the Bulldogs club and culture, and they have been doing what they can in areas like Bankstown and Lakemba to keep the footy spirit well and truly alive.
“I know,” he said of the fans.
“We have wonderful supporters – they’re passionate, very passionate – but it is important we stay focused and control what we can. If we do that, and we win games, I know the supporters will be very happy.
“The thing about Canterbury is we have the same culture [as 30 years ago]. The game has changed a hell of a lot, the hours the players spend at training and preparing for games has changed and there is also a much greater professionalism, but the philosophy here remains the same; and that is ‘it’s a simple game, but work hard, train hard and play for each other and you’ll get results’.”
The Bulldogs players and their new recruits are prepared for a gruelling 26 week season as always, and both the players and Moore are more than ready to take the bull by the horns and play some good footy.
“It’s a long process,” he said of helping a squad with new faces and a glut of National Youth Cup players appreciate what being a Dog means. “The pre-season is trying to get guys fit enough to play and perform week in, week out for the entire season. That’s the important part.
“There’s been many opportunities to build the club spirit, we’ve had a few functions and team-building exercises to bond us as a unit. I’m lucky to have a great support staff. Jim Dymock is my right-hand man and he’s been a great foil for me … Brett Kimmorley has come on board as our halves coach and Andrew Patmore is in charge of our NYC team. We’ve also bought good players and … we have a group of young players who’ve performed well in the NYC.”