Normally wins are met with euphoria, but not for these Bulldogs after a 21-point victory over Collingwood, who are increasingly putting a premium on reaching their highest standards in every game.
 
The team and in particular the coach were aware it was not their best performance, but were grateful of the effort and the ability to persist through what was a high pressure contest.
 
It showed some maturity and composure to grind out the game, despite Collingwood’s injury situation, and when it’s said and done, the four points were what the team entered the match desiring, and what they came away with.
 
Luke Beveridge lauded Collingwood’s pressure and courage in his post-match press conference, as did former skipper Matthew Boyd who said the team rated the Pies highly coming into the game.
 
“They’ve shown some really good signs in the past fortnight and played some really good footy again today,” Boyd said.
 
“Their pressure was first class really, and It took us a while to get a handle on that, and to show a bit of composure with the ball.”
 
Boyd said the team’s belief never waned throughout the contest, and that they felt like it was a matter of time before they got the game on their terms, provided the effort was still there.
 
“It’s a good sign that we played probably not our best footy in the end but we got over the line. It’s nice to get the four points,” Boyd said.
 
“We knew we were in the game, but we just had to tidy up a few things. We thought that if we kept on pushing through and going forward, then we probably get the result in the end.”
 
The win kept the Bulldogs in touch with the top four, with only percentage separating teams from third to seventh on the ladder.