Essendon coach James Hird has stressed to his players that one good win means little if the side doesn't back up this week against the Sydney Swans.
Ruckman Paddy Ryder, who impressed on Sunday booting two majors, says the focus has already turned to Round 2.
""It's good to start off the year with a good win, but we know it's only one week, so we're just looking forward to going out and putting in the same performance against Sydney this week,"" Ryder said at Windy Hill on Monday morning.
Ryder said Hird downplayed the importance of the victory to his players after the match.
""Hirdy said it's only one win and if we go away next week and put in a poor performance, then last week isn't going to count,"" Ryder said.
""So it's all about improvement at the moment and not getting too ahead of ourselves.""
Are you one? Help Essendon get to 50,000 members in 2011 by signing up to support James Hird and the team through an official membership.
Ryder was impressive in the Bombers' victory, forming an exciting rotation between ruck and forward with David Hille.
""It's good to have Hilley out there.""
""In the past couple of seasons, he's missed a few games, so it helps when we're both out there and playing well.”
""I think we can both play that role in middle and also go forward, so it helps with the flexibility of the side and it helps stretch the opposition's defence,"" he said.
Despite Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade declaring Essendon a top four threat, Ryder said the team is still not putting any expectations on itself in terms of ladder position.
""Week by week we just want to improve and that's what we're about this year, especially coming off such a poor year.”
""It's just improvement that we're looking for,"" Ryder said.
Are you one? Help Essendon get to 50,000 members in 2011 by signing up to support James Hird and the team through an official membership.
Ruckman Paddy Ryder, who impressed on Sunday booting two majors, says the focus has already turned to Round 2.
""It's good to start off the year with a good win, but we know it's only one week, so we're just looking forward to going out and putting in the same performance against Sydney this week,"" Ryder said at Windy Hill on Monday morning.
Ryder said Hird downplayed the importance of the victory to his players after the match.
""Hirdy said it's only one win and if we go away next week and put in a poor performance, then last week isn't going to count,"" Ryder said.
""So it's all about improvement at the moment and not getting too ahead of ourselves.""
Are you one? Help Essendon get to 50,000 members in 2011 by signing up to support James Hird and the team through an official membership.
Ryder was impressive in the Bombers' victory, forming an exciting rotation between ruck and forward with David Hille.
""It's good to have Hilley out there.""
""In the past couple of seasons, he's missed a few games, so it helps when we're both out there and playing well.”
""I think we can both play that role in middle and also go forward, so it helps with the flexibility of the side and it helps stretch the opposition's defence,"" he said.
Despite Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade declaring Essendon a top four threat, Ryder said the team is still not putting any expectations on itself in terms of ladder position.
""Week by week we just want to improve and that's what we're about this year, especially coming off such a poor year.”
""It's just improvement that we're looking for,"" Ryder said.
Are you one? Help Essendon get to 50,000 members in 2011 by signing up to support James Hird and the team through an official membership.
