Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says several players need to lift after loss to Sydney

After missing a chance to push into the AFL top four, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge had some serious questions for his players.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs speaks to team mates as they look dejected after the round 18 AFL match between Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs at Sydney Cricket Ground, on July 13, 2023, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has sent a subtle warning shot to underperforming players after his side was once again unable to stop a flood of goals.

After giving up 10 of 11 goals against a bright start against Collingwood last week, the Bulldogs once again undid much of their hard work by leaking six of seven goals to the Swans through the second quarter and after halftime.

Beveridge is adamant his team can still get on a charge towards the finals despite the fact the Bulldogs could now find themselves outside the top eight by the end of the round after the agonising 78-76 defeat to Sydney at the SCG.

Although the coach stopped short of naming names, Beveridge made it clear there are key individuals who need to lift if the Bulldogs are to go with skipper Marcus Bontempelli and make a finals run.

“It wasn’t as big a run of goals as last week, but ultimately … when you’re reading that momentum you’re asking yourself, ‘why is it happening?’” Beveridge said.

Dejected Bulldogs at the SCG o Photo by Phil Hillyard

“Is it because as a collective we’re not doing something together, or has there been a couple of individual moments that have cost the team? And it was the latter.

“One or two boys who just didn’t have good nights and we fed them some easy goals that we didn’t get from them.”

The Bulldogs’ bombed a golden opportunity against a struggling Swans team to move to fifth on the ladder and seriously challenge for a top four berth.

Now they’re bracing to be swamped by the logjam of teams in the middle of the ladder jostling for the final spots in the eight.

But Beveridge is refusing to panic.

“We’re still confident we can win every week,” Beveridge said.

“It’s still a long way out. So we’ve just got to focus on Essendon and put together another strong team to play against them this week.”

Bulldogs head coach Luke Beveridge speaks to players at the SCG. Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Beveridge lamented the loss of key defensive players James O’Donnell (concussion) and Sam Darcy (cork) and believes it ultimately was the difference in the match as the Swans’ forward line eventually exposed their loss in size.

“Losing the two keys in James and Sam was going to be difficult to cover and I think that told in the end with their bigger forwards,” Beveridge said.

“They started to mark it. We only had the two talls and we couldn’t quite defend some of those balls and it was costly.

“Credit to Sydney. The intensity in the game and the fight from both teams was credible.

“If we had won they’d say it was one that got away and we probably feel like that. At the end I still thought we were going to win it.

“It’s really disappointing from that point of view.”

Originally published as Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says several players need to lift after loss to Sydney