TOM Bugg says his pre-match “you ready” Instagram post to Bulldog Jason Johannisen was all in good fun.
Speaking post-match to 3AW after Melbourne's 57 point win over the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Bugg said: “It was a little playful Instagram. I didn’t mean too much by it. I know Jason, so it was just a bit of playful [banter] before the game.”
“I didn’t look too far into it. They’re (the Bulldogs) a great side, so we knew they were going to come at us no matter what. I didn’t read too much into it.”
Bugg said the social media post had been addressed and was adamant nothing was spoken about it on the ground.
“We’re not worried too much about that. We’re worried about what we’re doing on the ground,” he said.
“At the moment, we’re playing some really good footy and we want to do that going forward.
“They’re a great side and they won the premiership last year, so we want to match ourselves with the best. To come up against them … when you step on the field, you need to produce your best effort and today I think we played really well.”
Meanwhile, Bugg praised the performances of Cam Pedersen and Oscar McDonald.
“We’re really stoked with what Pedo’s been able to produce. We don’t want to rely on any players, like Maxy [Gawn] or Jesse Hogan, so we want other players to be able to come in and step up,” he said.
“Cam worked really hard last year to earn another contract and he’s come in this year and he’s been able to help the team – and we’re all about team first.
“Cam is doing that as good as anyone at the moment.”
On McDonald, Bugg said: “Oscar’s going really well. He’s had some good learning experiences and I think he’s copped it a few times for the way he’s played, but he’s kept at it.”
“He’s got some footsteps to follow in [with his older brother] Tommy, who is really good. He’s played down there and helped Oscar become the player that he is.
“Oscar’s just built up two or three weeks in a row now of really good football – and really good intercept football. In terms of that, it’s holding him in good stead.”
