'Definite signs': Bevo reveals why Bulldogs' huge victory was 'more ...

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge hailed his team’s gritty 18-point victory over Collingwood on Friday night at Marvel Stadium as “more than just a win”.

Much was made of Collingwood’s enormous injury list heading into that match, but the Bulldogs had a raft of key players missing as well in the form of Tom Liberatore (concussion), Aaron Naughton (knee), Cody Weightman (elbow), Ed Richards (concussion), Jason Johannisen (hamstring) and Bailey Smith (knee).

The Dogs were further depleted during the match, losing James Harmes and Laitham Vandermeer to hamstring injuries, which forced them to play the entire second half a man down on the bench, while Rory Lobb played out the game with a tight back.

But having now won three of their last four games, and crept to within four points of the top eight, Beveridge believes the wheel is starting to turn for his team after their shaky 3-5 start to the season.

“Under the circumstances, it just feels like more than just a win for us tonight,” Beveridge said post-match.

“We haven’t really won games like this for a little while.

“I think there’s definite signs there that we’re evolving and maybe morphing into a team that can challenge a little bit.

“So some really good signs and a bit of belief will come from tonight.”

Beveridge was hopeful that Harmes and Vandermeer won’t miss too much football.

“We’re hoping they’re on the lower end of severity,” he said.

In better news on the injury front for the Dogs, Beveridge was cautiously optimistic about the prospect of regaining key duo Liberatore and Richards for their match against Brisbane next week as the pair near full recoveries from their respective concussion issues.