AFL: Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge focused on what’s to come rather than matching previous heights

The Western Bulldogs are rounding into form and coach Luke Beveridge is welcoming the upcoming test against Geelong at Marvel Stadium.

Western Bulldogs star Bailey Smith has recovered from the illness that sidelined him last week. Picture: Getty Images

The Western Bulldogs remain firmly focused on the “next version” of themselves rather than whether they are returning to their best form, coach Luke Beveridge says.

The eighth-placed Dogs have won four of their past five matches since their shock one-point defeat to Adelaide in Ballarat, including a last-start 101-point, percentage-fattening thumping of West Coast.

Red-hot ruckman Tim English’s return from illness and injury against the Eagles added another piece to the puzzle, with Beveridge also thrilled to see his team score 99 points or more the past three weeks.

They will also regain gun on-baller Bailey Smith from illness for Friday night’s significant test against Geelong at Marvel Stadium, something Beveridge said was “an exciting proposition”.

“We’ve been pretty consistent in a few areas, with change in personnel and guys coming in and out of roles, so that’s been the encouraging thing,” Beveridge said.

Bulldogs ruckman Tim English is enjoying a career-best season. Picture: Getty Images

“I said a long time ago, you’ve got to re-establish yourself. I feel like at the halfway mark; we’re just starting to re-emerge and what that means on Friday night – hopefully it’s really encouraging.

“The proposition of playing teams ahead of us and around us and influencing where we end up at the end of the whole thing is perfect.”

Beveridge continues to lavish praise on star forward Aaron Naughton, who sits sixth in the AFL with 29 goals from 11 matches, behind only Charlie Curnow, Jeremy Cameron, Max King, Tom Lynch and Tom Hawkins.

Marcus Bontempelli and Cody Weightman are equal second at the Kennel with 14 goals apiece, so Naughton is doing some seriously heavy lifting.

Geelong’s Rising Star nominee Sam De Koning will almost certainly shadow him on Friday night.

Aaron Naughton’s become one of the best key forwards in the competition. Picture: Getty Images

“Aaron Naughton’s been such a goliath or leviathan down there. He’s been the one consistent key forward, as far as being there,” Beveridge said.

“Everything else around him has changed, other than probably our inside mids who are playing a bit of forward-line stuff.

“Whether that settles down a bit depends on injury, but to be able to kick over 100 points four or five times and to have the opportunity to look the way it is ... means we’re doing a fair bit right.”

Josh Bruce (knee) and Mitch Hannan (concussion) are aiming to play in the VFL after the Bulldogs’ bye next week, while Jason Johannisen (calf) played three quarters at second-tier level last week.