Senior coach Luke Beveridge spoke to media following the Dogs’ 91-point win over Essendon.
On the opening term:
“You start to get a bit fussy in the coaches’ box when you have a start like that. It was our focus – and it is every week - to make sure we start well.
“We’d only won two first quarters prior to tonight, so to win so emphatically on the scoreboard but in the right way (was great).
“I thought our core actions and ability to win the ball, and control proceedings from a contest point of view was first rate. We then fed off that.
“After that, you’re a bit nervous about making sure you consolidate, but ultimately Essendon at different times got the upper hand. Momentum definitely swung…they had some front-half activity for some time, but the boys persevered. It’s an outstanding win.”
On Bailey Dale’s performance:
“It’s pretty significant. He had a lot of the ball but also won the footy back for us a lot.
“The stats sheet will show that a lot of it was uncontested play, but his willingness to run in the main two phases to outnumber defensively and really link up…it was first rate and quite exemplary.
“I was surprised the crowd knew (he was close to 50 disposals). I think once he got to 49, everyone was riding it a little bit and trying to get him to 50.”
On the forward-line blend:
“There’s a few moving parts down there…we were a little bit shorter tonight.
“With Laverde coming back in, and then Reid and McKay, we knew we would need to use the ball a certain way. We looked at last week’s game (Sydney v Essendon) and saw there were 20 intercept marks at quarter-time – 10 apiece. It was astronomical.
“We couldn’t play into the safety net, so I thought our players made really good decisions and that mattered – especially with Sam (Darcy) not there."
On the nine-game winning streak at Marvel Stadium:
“Before that, we weren’t winning that many games here. It’s a venue that most clubs like to play at.
“The only case you could make for it being a home-ground advantage is if there is a lot more Western Bulldogs supporters here than the opposition.
“Generally, our people, our Doggies supporters, do turn up and show great support. That can be a factor.
“As far as the inconvenience of playing at Marvel Stadium, there just isn’t any. Even the peace of mind that you know you are playing under the roof and there are no weather elements…I know that other clubs enjoy that.
“Regardless of how many games we play here (in the run home), the competition isn’t going to do us any favours. We won’t take the venue for granted.”
