Led ably by skipper Bob Murphy and former captain Matthew Boyd, the Western Bulldogs have quickly developed one of the most dynamic defensive halves in the competition.

With a balanced mix of youth and experience, the Bulldogs defence has been a damaging force in 2015, with senior coach Luke Beveridge praising the group after the win against St Kilda on Saturday night.

“I just thought our defenders were incredible. They intercepted, they cut them off and the amount of entries that they had, they probably should have scored more goals.

“On open plays our defenders just really held it together, so that will definitely hold our backmen in good stead.”

Led ably by skipper Bob Murphy, and former captain Matthew Boyd, the Bulldogs young defenders have stepped up so far this season.

Joel Hamling and Fletcher Roberts have assumed key defensive posts while Jordan Roughead has spent more time in the ruck in recent weeks, while Jason Johannisen and Easton Wood have joined Murphy and Boyd as some of the competition’s most dominant players off half-back.

Hamling, speaking with Crocmedia on Monday night, said that the leadership from the experienced players had played a major role in the development of the younger Dogs’ defenders.

“Their (Boyd and Murphy) direction on field is crucial for us young guys and Boydy playing down back now, it’s amazing to have him because he reads the ball so well and can set up the game.

“They’re both so damaging going forward as well.”

Hamling also praised the work of the defensive group on Saturday night, and their ability to withstand the amount of St Kilda’s inside 50s.

“I guess our back seven as a whole held the game together pretty well all night.

“They were coming at the end in the last six or seven minutes, and the composure of all our guys in the end to hold on was outstanding.”