Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge admits something must be done to correct his side's woeful goal-kicking after inaccuracy led to a two-point AFL loss to Greater Western Sydney.
The reigning premiers had the chance to put a significant break on the Giants in the second quarter of Friday night's match in Canberra, but squandered their opportunities and went to the break nine points in front.
They finished the evening with 9.19 (73) to GWS' 11.9 (75), with the Giants forwards nailing clutch goals in the final term with the game in the balance.
Of 117 shots on goal in the last four rounds, the Bulldogs have kicked 48.69 at 41 per cent.
They have kicked more behinds in each of those matches including 17.20 in their victory against Brisbane, 12.17 when they beat North Melbourne and 10.13 in their unexpected loss to Fremantle.
"Ultimately we're making it really hard work and shooting ourselves in the foot," Beveridge said.
"It's going to be difficult to win these close games when you're a bit inefficient."
Beveridge said the Bulldogs' skills were letting them down and if they didn't demand an improvement, the situation would continue to deteriorate.
"You don't necessarily need brilliance but you do need a sheen of quality in our forward line and it just hasn't been there for us quite yet," he said.
"It's purely skill and we've got to work on it.
"Our players who are missing or not capitalising on their opportunities will hopefully get better over time."
While the Giants were tenacious in fighting their way back into the contest, coach Leon Cameron admitted they had been fortunate not to be four to five goals down at the main break.
"Sometimes you walk away and you're a bit lucky especially when the opposition's had 28 scoring shots and only given us 20," Cameron said.
The Bulldogs, who are 4-2 following the loss to the Giants, face high-flying Richmond next Saturday night at Etihad Stadium
Share
