Western Bulldogs backline coach Cal Brown says Saturday’s win over Carlton reinforced the belief that the team’s method stacks up against the best. 

The Dogs dominated the Blues at IKON Park, leapfrogging them into the top four with a 30-point win to seal a maiden finals berth under coach Tam Hyett.

Brown said he couldn’t be prouder of the group. 

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“It’s hard to go past the fact that we are in finals now, to be honest,” he said post-match.

“(The team) just had such a tremendous performance today so as coaches we are just really rapt for them.

“I think our game has been building over the course of the year, and that’s the exciting part.”

Brown said team defence was a key focus heading into the clash. 

“We’ve had a few focuses over the last few weeks, but this week in particular our defensive intent and connection was always going to be the most important,” he said.

“(Tam) really wanted to drill that part in and then play to our method. Playing against a good team like Carlton, you want your method to either stack up or see where it stacks up. 

“It was a good eye-opener for us that we’re right there. We have got to keep playing our way if we want to keep winning these important games.”

Brown was full of praise for key backs Mua Laloifi (eight disposals, five marks) and Kaylee Kimber (10 disposals, three marks, 217 metres gained).

“The way we play down back and the way we like to structure it is more positional-focused rather than player-focused,” he explained.

“If (the opposition) kicks a goal, it’s on the whole backline not just one player.

“We’ve stuck true to that and are connecting really well…I though the backs did a really good job of that.

“It’s funny because you’ve got Mua who’s a bit older and Kesh who’s quite young, and they are complete opposites in the way that they play. 

“Mua is really structured and reads it super well, and then Kesh is dynamic and powerful. 

“They have such great conversation between the two of them and are helping each other out.”

The Bulldogs will look to extend their five-game winning streak when they host Melbourne at Mission Whitten Oval on Saturday night.