The Western Bulldogs feel their win over North Melbourne is more a step in the right direction than a turning point in their shaky AFL premiership defence.
After dominating the Kangaroos throughout the bulk of the contest, the Bulldogs held on for a one-point victory.
It was much-needed after suffering four losses from their previous five games but ahead of their clash with West Coast at Etihad Stadium on Saturday coach Luke Beveridge was reluctant to state his team had turned their wobbly season around.
"There was talk about our game against St Kilda being a bit of a turning point, well the next two weeks when we came back from the bye were diabolical for us so we can't rest on our laurels," Beveridge said on Friday.
"We've got to make sure we build on it - I don't think it was a turning point but a step in the right direction.
"It was promising stuff last week and we'll endeavour to bring it out again regardless of what West Coast looks like."
While the Bulldogs have welcomed back skipper Bob Murphy, who hasn't played since round 10 due to minor knee surgery and then a hamstring twinge, West Coast have made four changes to their line-up.
Skipper Shannon Hurn, Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis, Josh Hill and Will Schofield have joined superstar Josh Kennedy and veteran Mark LeCras in the casualty ward.
"It's quite a dramatic change to what we're used to coming up against when you think Kennedy and LeCras aren't playing as well so we've got to get our head around that quickly," Beveridge said.
"The players they've brought in are very capable so we can't treat them any differently."
The Bulldogs suffered an eight-point loss in their last meeting in Perth, however the Eagles are struggling to find form, with only one win from their past five games.
Beveridge said his team could take confidence from that round eight performance.
"We're encouraged by the fact we were still in the game," he said.
"Ball movement wise they stifled us so there something to learn there."
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