Harper Sercombe
On the back of Point Cook’s first ever Western Region Football League division 1 grand final appearance, the Bulldogs are hungry for more.
Last season the Dogs were runners up to Werribee Districts, yet coach Clay Smith said while the loss hurt it has only provided the team with more motivation to climb the mountain again in 2024.
“We probably didn’t expect to make the grand final last year, it’s always a hope but our expectation was probably to make finals,” he said.
“We were able to do that and win a couple, it was really good to be able to get to where we got to.
“We don’t want to set the standard too high but at the same time we want to get back there, and that’s our goal. That’s been a focus at the start of the preseason, everything that we are doing is with a little bit of our mind towards that, and making sure that you’re putting in the effort, because it stings when you lose them.
“You don’t really want to go through that again, so it’s making sure you do all the little things now that add up to that day in September, which has been a little driving point for us.
“The loss hurts, but I said to the boys after the game, ‘really we won, from where we came from a year ago to where we’ve gotten to, that’s as good as winning for us.
“Obviously winning it is just that little bit better, but from where we came from. Werribee has been a good side, made finals for the past 10 years, so for us to get there and compete and actually give ourselves a chance to win it. I was so proud of the boys.”
The other thing on the Bulldogs’ side is their youth.
Smith said that roughly 80 per cent of the list sits under 24 years old and homes some of the area’s best young talent. This includes 16-year-old Thomas Burton who made his senior debut for the club in the grand final.
Burton was electric, showing off his pace, poise and skill.
“There is a lot of growth from our younger boys to come through which is exciting,” Smith said.
“We’ve added a couple, we’ve lost a couple, but I’m just really looking forward to getting started back up again and getting back into it.
“I think our youth is probably our biggest advantage.”
However, it hasn’t been all positive throughout the off-season for the Dogs with experienced players Luke Dahlhaus and Sam Darley leaving the club. Smith said the loss of his Western Bulldogs’ teammates stings, but he is confident it won’t be a hindrance to the club’s on field successes. Last season Dahlhaus played only 12 games, while Darley managed just nine.
“We actually did without them as well, which is exciting for the group, obviously they add a fair bit when they play, but to be able to win the games we did when they weren’t there was exciting,” Smith said.
Point Cook will kick off its crusade back to September footy against the fresh division 1 team Parkside at Saltwater Reserve in round one.
