With a handful of key players missing from the Bulldogs line-up on Friday night, it was left to some of the younger brigade to step up, and as they’ve done all year, they delivered when it counted.

With Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis and Jack Macrae missing out of the midfield, responsibilities have fallen onto the young shoulders of players like Caleb Daniel and Josh Dunkley.

Daniel submitted yet another performance last night worthy of someone who has played 127 games, not 27, but he was quick to share the praise coming his way with teammates when speaking to Channel 7 after the game.

“I think everyone has got to step up [and] there’s been a young group that’s come in and really stepped into their roles and are playing some good footy, Daniel said.

“Everyone has stepped up as far as I’m concerned.”

On his mind was likely the performance of fellow Rising Star nominee, Josh Dunkley, who kicked a goal to go along with his 19 disposals and five marks and four clearances.

But in a game that was going to be won or lost on pressure and persistence, it was Dunkley’s 18 pressure acts and team-high ten tackles that would have most impressed coach Luke Beveridge.

The coach said after the match that his team showed plenty of "resilience and perseverance", in the three-point win, something that as each new faces comes in, they seemingly bring with them in spades.

The Bulldogs face Essendon next Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.