Luke Beveridge spoke to the media after Sunday’s 17-point win over Carlton, and westernbulldogs.com.au highlights some of the key takeaways. 

Game wrap

It was more low-scoring slugfest than a shootout on Sunday, but the Bulldogs’ coach was happy to take away the points.  

“It was a bit of a grind but we’ll take the trifecta over three weeks when you haven’t won many.”

“Carlton’s intensity and endeavour was at the edge of where they want it to be I would have thought.  I don’t think we shied away from that and the arm wrestle was on.

“Obviously it was played a lot between the arcs, and not a lot of inside 50s in totality.  But, I was really happy with the way the boys persevered and they managed to get give us just enough to give us a win.”

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Bontempelli

Despite being hampered by a back injury for much of the match, the Dogs vice-captain was a key factor in the win, collecting 37 touches, including ten contested, to go with four clearances and seven inside 50s.  

“Last week’s game against North Melbourne, right at the start, he had an aerial contest with Luke McDonald, he came down and landed on his back so he’s hardly trained all week.

“He copped a hit on it, right on the stop, so I’m dobbing him in for next week if he plays but he’s a tough young fella.  He got through today but he was in a fair bit of pain. 

“He’s had an outstanding game for a player who has had that to confront.”  

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Dunks and CD

Josh Dunkley and Caleb Daniel were two of the Dogs’ prime movers, continuing the strong form they’ve displayed over the past month.

“I’ve been rapt with how well those boys have gone.”

“There’s others but they’ve had some big spikes and they’ve helped us improve.  They’re a great example of a couple of players, and there’s many others, who’ve worked really hard with our coaches and with each other, and they’re great signs for the future. 

“There’s no doubt that will help us going forward.”

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The Tigers

The Dogs will finish their 2018 season against a red-hot Tigers outfit next Saturday, and Beveridge said he’s looking forward to seeing how his side perform.

“They’re obviously an outstanding team, Richmond.  Based on what’s transpired over the last couple of weeks and what they need to manage in the finals series, that they’d field their best team available.

“It’ll be interesting to see how we go against them.”