General News
24 September, 2021
Wood chasing second premiership medallion
CAMPERDOWN export Easton Wood admits it is a different build-up but none the less exciting as he prepares for another grand final on Saturday.
CAMPERDOWN export Easton Wood admits it is a different build-up but none the less exciting as he prepares for another grand final on Saturday.
The Western Bulldogs defender will grace the flanks of Perth’s Optus Stadium from 7.15pm (AEST), with his club seeking its second premiership in five years against Melbourne.
Wood skippered the boys from Footscray to their most recent flag in 2016 and while he still has fond memories of their premiership, he said the lead-in to this year’s decider had been “starkly contrasting”.
“Last time I was captain and we only had one week before the grand final and we were in Victoria, in our homes and doing everything for the first time as you’d expect to be normal,” he said.
“This year it’s two weeks, we’ve been in quarantine, we’re away from family and we’re on the other side of the country so it’s very different.
“But it’s no less exciting that’s for sure. It’s been quite nice having the longer lead-in to be honest.
“I haven’t minded that. I wasn’t sure how it would be but it’s been nice to be around the boys and to be enjoying each other’s company and soaking it in.”
The Bulldogs have echoed their efforts in 2016 in their run to this year’s grand final, winning their way from fifth.
Last time the Bulldogs flew all over the country and home again, but this time they left Melbourne on August 28 and have yet to return.
They have played games in Launceston, Brisbane and Adelaide en route to Perth and have been required to follow strict quarantine requirements in each different state.
Coach Luke Beveridge has drawn inspiration from the club’s plight and used it to motivate his charges to great effect, according to Wood.
“It was a challenge but we only had two ways to deal with it,” he said.
“Clearly it was a disadvantage so it was either kick and scream and (take the) woe is me look at it in those terms or try and use it as fuel in some other way.
“Really that was the only way (the latter) to approach it in some kind of positive and forward-moving manner and that’s what we’ve done.
“We’ve continued to embrace those challenges because let’s be honest, they were quite real…some of the quarantine restrictions were laughable at times but we’ve used them as well as we could have and processed it and here we are.”
While Wood is yet to learn of his match-up for the grand final, the likes of Bayley Fritsch and Kysiah Pickett loom as potential opponents.
Fritsch (53 goals) and Pickett (40) have been deadly in front of the big sticks for the Demons, but Wood is expecting his task to vary throughout the contest.
“The way we normally play, I play on a range of different players so it could be them, it could be (Charlie) Spargo, it could be any of the resting forwards, if (Christian) Petracca comes forward or whoever, or it could be someone taller like (Ben) Brown or someone at different times if they’re playing a bit higher,” he said.
“Who knows. When we play our system we normally don’t just follow one player so I’ll probably have a handful (of opponents).”
Individually, Wood himself is just grateful for the opportunity to take the field.
He has overcome his own challenges this year, with injury, which has impacted his career often, ravaging the early part of his season.
He has played 14 games, including seven on the trot since returning in round nine and is primed to add what he hopes is a second premiership medal to his coffers.
“I tore three hamstrings this year and then coming back through the VFL I ruptured the lateral ligaments in an ankle,” Wood said.
“At that point, before I got the scan on the ankle, I thought if this is a break I’m out for three months and it’s season over and I was going through all these waves of ups and downs.
“Thankfully, as I have always done, I went back with the physios and the fitness staff and put the work in and they’re hanging in there.
“I can’t believe we’re playing in another grand final, it’s surreal and really special.”