Bulldogs dare to dream with season on a knife's edge
That's the view of 2016 premiership Bulldog Jason Johannisen, as the club's season hangs on a knife's edge.
The Bulldogs (52 points) sit ninth with two games to go against West Coast then Fremantle, four points shy of Gold Coast, Hawthorn and GWS.
Realistically, Luke Beveridge's charges need to win both games and have either the Suns, who have a game in hand, Hawks or Giants to slip up, in order to make the top eight.
But if they can pull that off, Johannisen believes the sky is the limit.
"We play the right brand of footy to win it all," he told AAP.
"The challenge is just putting it together and putting in a four-quarter effort, because that's what it takes.
"And we need an even contribution from everyone. We can't just rely on too few, although some of our stars are playing some really influential football.
"Our best footy can match it with anyone. It's just the challenge is doing it over a four-quarter period.
"We're up for that challenge, and we're excited for it."
The Bulldogs' forwards are "feeding off" the energy of key forward Aaron Naughton (55 goals), who is third in the Coleman Medal.
But emerging midfield star Ed Richards saved the day in last week's thrilling win over Melbourne and looms as a pivotal figure, alongside skipper Marcus Bontempelli, in the Dogs' finals hunt.
"He's become a bona fide superstar of the competition," Johannisen said.
"What makes him so impactful is his use going forward is just top notch. He doesn't miss many targets, and in front of goals, he usually kicks them.
"He's had a terrific season."
With their season on a knife's edge, the Bulldogs know they cannot afford any slip-ups against the cellar-dwelling Eagles at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
"They've got nothing to lose, so they're going to play with some freedom and some flair," he said.
"We've got to combat that. We just know that if we dig into our style, that it will overcome anything."
Johannisen, who won the 2016 Norm Smith Medal, was limited to just 28 games between 2022 and 2024 though a series of injuries.
But the 32-year-old has managed 14 this year including the past seven on the bounce, which has helped vanquish thoughts his time could well be up.
"It does cross your mind," he said.
"But at the end of the day, this group is what gets you going in rehab and just wanting to get back and play with your teammates.
"That's been my main drive - and that will always be there."
The Western Bulldogs have the right brand of football to go all the way this AFL finals series - they just have to get there first.
That's the view of 2016 premiership Bulldog Jason Johannisen, as the club's season hangs on a knife's edge.
The Bulldogs (52 points) sit ninth with two games to go against West Coast then Fremantle, four points shy of Gold Coast, Hawthorn and GWS.
Realistically, Luke Beveridge's charges need to win both games and have either the Suns, who have a game in hand, Hawks or Giants to slip up, in order to make the top eight.
But if they can pull that off, Johannisen believes the sky is the limit.
"We play the right brand of footy to win it all," he told AAP.
"The challenge is just putting it together and putting in a four-quarter effort, because that's what it takes.
"And we need an even contribution from everyone. We can't just rely on too few, although some of our stars are playing some really influential football.
"Our best footy can match it with anyone. It's just the challenge is doing it over a four-quarter period.
"We're up for that challenge, and we're excited for it."
The Bulldogs' forwards are "feeding off" the energy of key forward Aaron Naughton (55 goals), who is third in the Coleman Medal.
But emerging midfield star Ed Richards saved the day in last week's thrilling win over Melbourne and looms as a pivotal figure, alongside skipper Marcus Bontempelli, in the Dogs' finals hunt.
"He's become a bona fide superstar of the competition," Johannisen said.
"What makes him so impactful is his use going forward is just top notch. He doesn't miss many targets, and in front of goals, he usually kicks them.
"He's had a terrific season."
With their season on a knife's edge, the Bulldogs know they cannot afford any slip-ups against the cellar-dwelling Eagles at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
"They've got nothing to lose, so they're going to play with some freedom and some flair," he said.
"We've got to combat that. We just know that if we dig into our style, that it will overcome anything."
Johannisen, who won the 2016 Norm Smith Medal, was limited to just 28 games between 2022 and 2024 though a series of injuries.
But the 32-year-old has managed 14 this year including the past seven on the bounce, which has helped vanquish thoughts his time could well be up.
"It does cross your mind," he said.
"But at the end of the day, this group is what gets you going in rehab and just wanting to get back and play with your teammates.
"That's been my main drive - and that will always be there."
The Western Bulldogs have the right brand of football to go all the way this AFL finals series - they just have to get there first.
That's the view of 2016 premiership Bulldog Jason Johannisen, as the club's season hangs on a knife's edge.
The Bulldogs (52 points) sit ninth with two games to go against West Coast then Fremantle, four points shy of Gold Coast, Hawthorn and GWS.
Realistically, Luke Beveridge's charges need to win both games and have either the Suns, who have a game in hand, Hawks or Giants to slip up, in order to make the top eight.
But if they can pull that off, Johannisen believes the sky is the limit.
"We play the right brand of footy to win it all," he told AAP.
"The challenge is just putting it together and putting in a four-quarter effort, because that's what it takes.
"And we need an even contribution from everyone. We can't just rely on too few, although some of our stars are playing some really influential football.
"Our best footy can match it with anyone. It's just the challenge is doing it over a four-quarter period.
"We're up for that challenge, and we're excited for it."
The Bulldogs' forwards are "feeding off" the energy of key forward Aaron Naughton (55 goals), who is third in the Coleman Medal.
But emerging midfield star Ed Richards saved the day in last week's thrilling win over Melbourne and looms as a pivotal figure, alongside skipper Marcus Bontempelli, in the Dogs' finals hunt.
"He's become a bona fide superstar of the competition," Johannisen said.
"What makes him so impactful is his use going forward is just top notch. He doesn't miss many targets, and in front of goals, he usually kicks them.
"He's had a terrific season."
With their season on a knife's edge, the Bulldogs know they cannot afford any slip-ups against the cellar-dwelling Eagles at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
"They've got nothing to lose, so they're going to play with some freedom and some flair," he said.
"We've got to combat that. We just know that if we dig into our style, that it will overcome anything."
Johannisen, who won the 2016 Norm Smith Medal, was limited to just 28 games between 2022 and 2024 though a series of injuries.
But the 32-year-old has managed 14 this year including the past seven on the bounce, which has helped vanquish thoughts his time could well be up.
"It does cross your mind," he said.
"But at the end of the day, this group is what gets you going in rehab and just wanting to get back and play with your teammates.
"That's been my main drive - and that will always be there."
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