COMING off a stunning five-goal win over King Valley just a month ago, things were looking good for Bonnie Doon.
First year coach Darren Wheeler had his charges up and running, and with the likes of Judd Darby, Jarrod Demarco, Alex Kellalea and Ricky Milligan in superb touch, the Doon Dogs looked every bit a top eight side.
Fast forward four weeks and it is a far different tale.
Three straight losses the worst of which was an embarrassing 67-point thumping at the hands of Goorambat have left Bonnie Doon with only the faintest of hopes for reaching the finals.
"It all just went pear-shaped from there," Wheeler said.
The loss to Goorambat Bonnie Doon's first since joining the OandK came just seven days after beating the Roos a win Wheeler described as the club's best since the 2010 finals.
"We had ridiculous numbers out for the Goorambat match," he said.
"We had seven blokes play a full game in reserves then back up for the seniors you're never going to win when that happens.
"We wouldn't have beaten Glenrowan that day."
While the Doon Dogs bounced back with an impressive display against Moyhu, leading the reigning premier by five goals at halftime, injuries again proved costly.
"We lost Jarrod Demarco to an AC joint at the start of the third quarter in that match," Wheeler said.
"Jake Darby did an ankle, Kane Reid did his ribs and Alex Kellalea copped a facial injury, so we were one short for the final quarter.
"We were never going to run it out against a quality side like Moyhu being a player down."
Injuries have proved disastrous for the Doon Dogs, with Demarco and Kellalea out for the rest of the season.
Demarco's value to the side was highlighted last year, when a wrist injury kept him out of action for the season and Bonnie Doon struggled to win the ball out of the centre.
"Judd Darby is a sensational player, and he's in brilliant form, but Jarrod Demarco is our most important player," Wheeler said.
"We are going to need Hayden Floate to step up to play his role in the ruck now, but he has been playing down back, so it's not something he's used to."
Kellalea has been one of the club's most consistent players since the start of last year, but Wheeler said the stocky defender's health was far more important than football.
"He went up in a marking contest and copped a bit of friendly fire Kane Reid's knee got him in the face," he said.
"He went in for surgery yesterday and had to get some plates and pins put in his cheek, and there was some damage to the eye socket as well.
"He's going to be off work for a while his physical and mental well being is the most important thing, so we're all wishing him a quick recovery."
The Doon Dogs come up against another side dealing with a long casualty list in Milawa, and Wheeler said all he was looking for was a competitive performance.
"They have a few out, but they will still be very tough, especially over there," he said.
"We haven't got within 90 points of them since joining the OandK, so the aim for us is just going to be to reduce that deficit.
"Last time we played them they came out and belted us in the first quarter we were shell shocked.
"But we regrouped and almost matched them over the next three quarters.
"There will be opportunities for some of our fringe players guys like Todd Heaysman and Wayne Lockhart to really step up and play some good football this week, so hopefully they make the most of it.
"And we just need to capitalise when we go forward."
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
www.nenews.com.au
OUT: Bonnie Doon ruckman Jarrod Demarco will miss the rest of the season.
Last Modified on 20/07/2012 14:41