Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has praised ruckman Tim English for a brilliant performance which helped his team to a record-breaking win over West Coast on Saturday night.

English had missed the previous five games through a combination of injury and illness, but returned to be the most influential player on the ground in the 101-point win over the Eagles at Optus Stadium.

English amassed 25 disposals, 28 hitouts, four tackles, seven clearances, six inside 50s, 11 score involvements and a goal in a commanding individual game.

“He had a tremendous return.  He played really well tonight – he was really influential,” Beveridge said after the match.

“He’s a great example of a ruckman in the competition who plays the game very well outside of the stoppage.

“He’s a very good turnover ruckman.  He doesn’t just get behind the ball – he’ll spread forward and he’ll link up in chains.  It’s one thing we’ve definitely made sure we don’t coach out of Tim’s game.  It’s him playing to his strengths.

“He’s adjusted the balance of his defensive mindset and his want to spread forward a little bit this year, and I think it’s paying dividends for us.

“Now it’s just continuing to build on what might be for him.”

The Bulldogs came into Round 11 in ninth position on the ladder, but a significant percentage boost enabled the Club to move ahead of Richmond and into eighth place.

“One thing we don’t focus on is necessarily the outcome.  It’s talking about the core of what you do and the essentials to give you the opportunity to win games.  Whatever falls out of that, falls out,” Beveridge said.

"When the Eagles recently have been losing by on average 70 points, you know that other teams have probably had an opportunity and taken it.  

"We didn't talk about it, but it was in the background, there's no doubt. 

"There's a competitor in us all that doesn't show the opposition any mercy when you've got an opportunity to have a big win. 

“Anytime you can get a little bit of a margin, it always gives you a bit of a chance, especially now that we’re right on the periphery.

“We’re not embedded anywhere, so every little bit helps.”

The Bulldogs, having won three games in-a-row, now turn their attention to a blockbuster Friday night clash with Geelong at Marvel Stadium on Friday, June 3.