Dogs have ‘moved on’ from loss: Eade

THE WESTERN Bulldogs have "moved on very quickly" from their narrow loss to North Melbourne, according to coach Rodney Eade.

Eade said the Dogs have put their first loss for the season behind them as they focus on tackling the top-of-the-table Hawks this weekend in Tasmania.

He also described skipper Brad Johnson as a "very resilient character", and said the forward had put his shanked after-the-siren kick in the past.

"I don't think you can ignore any game whether it's a win or a loss," he said.

"We played some very good footy on the weekend, and it was just unfortunate we weren't in front at the end.

"There's things out of the game we can learn from and you've got to address those and talk about them, which we've done.

"But we've moved on very quickly, and playing the top side is going to be a big challenge. I think from a player's point of view, we're all looking forward to it."

Eade also said the Bulldogs will work on their consistency following Sunday's result, and denied the players are feeling the effects of two interstate trips in three rounds with one to come this weekend.

He then listed Stephen Tiller, Peter Street, Callan Ward, Jarrod Harbrow and Josh Hill as players in consideration for selection after showing promising form in the VFL, while seven-time best and fairest winner Scott West is still at least a week away from resuming.

Eade said Street, who has not been selected for a senior game this season following the recruitment of Ben Hudson, is a strong chance to return to the side.

"Pete's probably in career-best form, consistency-wise, at the moment," he said.

"He's been playing very well for Williamstown and he'll come into strong consideration this week because of the ruck and stoppage work of Hawthorn.

"He's right in the mix, and I think he's enjoying his footy at the moment, which is great. He certainly hasn't been forgotten about, and he's still in our plans."

Eade also expressed his disappointment that alternative ruckman Wayde Skipper will remain stranded on 44 games for at least another two months, after the 25-year-old hurt his medial ligament last weekend.

"Wayde was close to being played; his form has been very good," he said.

"He's had a couple of rough trots, but I think it's a testament to him too that in the last couple of years, he's really turned his career around and his attitude to footy has just been fantastic.

"He was in on the Monday doing weights and he's back on the horse already, so hopefully it won't take too long for him to get back in."