Centrals coach Peter Seymour has confessed his early-season optimism has been thrown out the back door, but that the long-term view to resuscitate the Trinity Beach club remains in full swing.
In his first season at the helm of the Bulldogs the former Yarrawonga mentor has watched his side waver from OK to very ordinary in the first two months of the AFL Cairns Competition.
Second last on the ladder, with just the solitary win to their name, he laughed that the high hopes held before round one were now a distant memory.
"It's back to reality now I guess, but something worth noting is that we had eight players miss out on a game last week and training numbers have been great," he qualified.
"Reserves had to forfeit a game last season and I can tell you that will never happen on my watch."
Along with the boost in numbers he will - after this weekend's clash with South Cairns - have seen six out-of-towners make cameo appearances with a view to recruit them next season.
Seymour hopes the ploy comes off and the side will benefit in the long run.
"It's the way to go; bring them in for a one-off game when their club has a bye and let them see the place and the footy instead of coming in cold," he said. "And there have been positives out of every one of those visits."
He said football manager Darryl O'Reilly and reserves coach Joel Kreek deserved credit for their work this season.
"They've been sensational for the club," he said. "They've pulled us out of trouble and people are keen to play for the Bulldogs again."
"It will certainly be a tough ask against Souths though; they gave us a shellacking in out last game."
Their oppooents tomorrow will be without the services of ruckman and recently appointed assistant coach Luke Powell (calf), while at least three others will also be missing, out with soft tissue injuries.
Powell said the club, which parted ways with head coach Grant Russell last month, were steady but striving for more at the back end of the season.
"Injuries have slowed us down but you'd rather them now than later in the year," he said.
Last Modified on 31/07/2013 15:44