FORWARD Jack Watts says he can’t put his finger on why the Demons have struggled at Etihad Stadium in recent years.
But the in-form Demon is optimistic they can break their drought against the Dogs on Friday night and win their first match at the venue since 2007.
“It’s a tough one. I’m not really too sure [why we’ve struggled at Etihad Stadium],” he said.
“I haven’t played there too often … but the shape of the ground and the teams that we play there, they’re probably used to playing that ground and that press, because it is a thinner ground.
“It’s got about 10 metres less width than the MCG ... it’s dangerous kicking it inside, which is how we want to play a lot of the time and teams are right onto us at Etihad Stadium.
“So we’ve just got to adjust our game plan a little bit and really stick to our structures and play disciplined footy on this ground.”
Melbourne has lost its past 10 matches at Docklands and Watts hinted the team’s style has been a factor in its recent poor record.
“Certainly the way we have to play is talked about during the week,” he said.
“It’s a big game, but we’ve just got to concentrate on our structures and playing our roles.
“That’s what has got us into this position of two wins in a row. We’ve just been playing really disciplined footy, so we’ve got to do that again against the Bulldogs.”
Watts said the mood among the players was upbeat following two consecutive wins.
“It’s very good at the moment. It’s a huge game this Friday night. We haven’t won there in a fair while so we’re pretty focused going in and pretty determined,” Watts said.
But the in-form Demon is optimistic they can break their drought against the Dogs on Friday night and win their first match at the venue since 2007.
“It’s a tough one. I’m not really too sure [why we’ve struggled at Etihad Stadium],” he said.
“I haven’t played there too often … but the shape of the ground and the teams that we play there, they’re probably used to playing that ground and that press, because it is a thinner ground.
“It’s got about 10 metres less width than the MCG ... it’s dangerous kicking it inside, which is how we want to play a lot of the time and teams are right onto us at Etihad Stadium.
“So we’ve just got to adjust our game plan a little bit and really stick to our structures and play disciplined footy on this ground.”
Melbourne has lost its past 10 matches at Docklands and Watts hinted the team’s style has been a factor in its recent poor record.
“Certainly the way we have to play is talked about during the week,” he said.
“It’s a big game, but we’ve just got to concentrate on our structures and playing our roles.
“That’s what has got us into this position of two wins in a row. We’ve just been playing really disciplined footy, so we’ve got to do that again against the Bulldogs.”
Watts said the mood among the players was upbeat following two consecutive wins.
“It’s very good at the moment. It’s a huge game this Friday night. We haven’t won there in a fair while so we’re pretty focused going in and pretty determined,” Watts said.
