A thrilling two-point win over Port in enemy territory puts the Dogs back on the winners' list after a disappointing month of footy. 

Speaking after the game, Senior Coach Luke Beveridge spoke highly of the team's effort to get the job done while acknowledging the need for the consistency of effort to continue in the coming weeks. 

Here's what Beveridge had to say. 

On the team response:

“It’s a good word, proud.

“There was some integrity in our performance. At times, it was a bit messy.

“Port seemed to be pretty efficient. They got some scores from not a lot of forward-half opportunities.

“After you drop four in a row, you’re almost learning how to win again. I’m really pleased the boys hung in there.

“We had gilt-edge opportunities in the third quarter which would have given us a bit more scoreboard ascendency, which we just blew.

“We just kicked it straight to them, and the disappointment in all of that didn’t overwhelm them, and we hung in there.

“It’s an important night.

“As I’ve been saying – it’s the old DiVinyls song, it’s a fine line between pleasure and pain.”

On the third quarter:

“It’s just an execution thing.

“There was pressure in the game and they put enough on us.

“There were definitely some moments and some chances that we should have taken. You give Port credit for the pressure that they put you under.

“We’re talking about the new blend in the team and the boys playing together; it’s a different chemistry.

“The boys are having their moments here and there.

“Then Harvey Gallagher kicks the winning point. It had been a hard night for ‘Gags’ but he managed to at least hang in there, and it was another classic example of it mightn’t be your day or night, but it might be your moment.

“It definitely was his. He probably optimised what some of our boys are going through.

“Then others were quite sensational. Michael Sellwood was quite brilliant down back, and that backline held together reasonably well in some of the open-field situations.

“Around the footy, we were sturdy enough and the younger boys – Joel and definitely Ryley Sanders – they were OK. The more experienced ones in Marcus and Ed, they were really important.

“It was good to see Lachie Smith. We needed him to stand up late in the game because Tim went down. (Lachie) hadn’t played a lot of game time – he had some really critical moments, and he stood up strong in that stoppage sequence late when I think both teams rolled the dice on trying to win the game.

“That surge aspect that we capitalised on, it was a night to be on the right end of it.”

On Tim English:

“He just failed his SCAT, so he’ll be out for whatever period of time he needs.

“He’s got a history there so, as we do with all of our players who might have a concussion management period of time, we’ll be conservative and look after him.

“At this stage, it’ll definitely be one week off. Beyond that, we’ll just work through it.”

On the importance of the win:

“You’re learning how to win again when you drop games against some pretty formidable oppositions. The teams we’ve played in the last month or so are around the upper end of the ladder and have got momentum in their season.

“Fremantle last week, there were some positive signs. That doesn’t necessarily translate straight away; you’ve got to do the work all over again.

“Just talking to the players then, as I said, with a different blend, you are remaining optimistic that the growth is coming, and it’s a real sweet spot of opportunity for us – that’s the way we’re seeing it.

“Even though there have been some key players who have come out of the team, we’re looking for others to just step up.

“That’s been the messaging, and I think the players are embracing it.”

On Marcus Bontempelli and his impact:

“You get used to it.

“You almost normalise the effect that he can have on a game.

“We know there is a diversity in his game, there’s a brilliance in his game, there’s a hard edge at times.

“We saw most things tonight.

“Late in the game, under significant heat, he and Ed sort of surged that ball forward, and we ended up getting that last point.

“There’s real variety in his game.”

“We’re managing him week to week with what he’s doing training-wise and, as you can imagine, he just wants to keep playing.”

On Arty Jones’ efforts:

“There’s an electricity in his game.

“That mark he took, running with the flight of the ball… That was just raw and brute courage.

“That lifts everyone. It’s quite inspirational.”

On some of the Dogs’ injured players:

“I think Riley Garcia will play next week but he’s been out for a fair while, so he’ll play for Footscray.

“Other than that, I don’t think any of the other boys are available.

“I think they’re a couple of weeks away.

“Cody seems like he’s another three weeks away. He’s moving well now.

“It’s just that he hasn’t played in so long that we’re just making sure that he’s ready.

“Then we’ll need to decide what level he plays at.”

On Michael Sellwood and his defensive efforts:

“He really did have a brilliant game.

“He’s got a big heart, Michael.

“He really attacks the difficult parts of the game, and he has been using the ball pretty well.

“By far and away, he’s been more than serviceable. Tonight was certainly his best game; he was impressive.”