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Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge bracing for biggest week of his career

James Buckley

He's just secured the most vital win of his coaching career, and now Luke Beveridge is tasked with steering the Western Bulldogs through their biggest week in two generations.

Saturday night's six-point win over GWS in Sydney snapped a seven-game losing run in preliminary finals, and steered the Bulldogs to a first grand final appearance since 1961.

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Bulldogs win thriller to make final

The Western Bulldogs have upset Greater Western Sydney to book their first Grand Final appearance in 55 years, with a 89-83 win.

Now all that stands between Beveridge's side and the club's second AFL premiership is a Sydney Swans outfit fresh from mauling Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.

Beveridge admits he and his players tried not to discuss Footscray's history in the lead up to the Giants game, but what lies ahead is a week of preparing to break the longest premiership-drought in the AFL.

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge celebrates with his players.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge celebrates with his players. Photo: Getty Images

The club's one and only premiership cup was won in 1954.

"We didn't really bring it to the surface, everyone's aware of history and we know it's here," Beveridge said. "As I said the other day, maybe it's a little bit more of an incentive to buck the trend and win one.

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"It's a new breed of Bulldogs players who are searching for success. We're definitely on the right track.

"When I think of our fans driving back down the Hume and all the support that we've had and how people would be feeling who for a long time haven't seen the Dogs play in a grand final.

"It'd be a big night all around Australia for our supporters and we feel pretty good about that."

Saturday's bruising win was built on the Bulldogs' trademark attack on the football, and their ability to run with it at pace once possession was secure.

Clay Smith and Tory Dickson kicked four goals each, quashing suggestions the Bulldogs didn't have enough firepower to win a preliminary final.

But it wasn't all rosy with ruckman Jordan Roughead forced off early in the second quarter after wearing the football to the face from close range.

"It was almost like a game of chess, and war of attrition I suppose so to speak," Beveridge said.

"There were different things playing out with personnel because both teams lost a player early. There was talls in their forward line then there wasn't and we were doing different things with ours.

"There wasn't any great margin in the game the whole time, both teams have got tactical scenarios up their sleeve that they try to deploy and you're both fighting against each other on that.

"We watched as our players kept picking themselves off the mat, as did GWS.

"Who knows if it goes for another five minutes."

Scores were level with a little over three minutes on the clock before Jack McRae marked deep in the forward line, went back and cooly slotted the winning goal late in the term.

Earlier in the quarter GWS had led by 14 points and the Bulldogs looked out on their feet, but they refused to throw in the towel in one of the year's best games.

It means they head into next weekend's grand final against the Swans on the back of wins against West Coast in Perth, Hawthorn and GWS in Sydney.

And they're up against a wounded Swans outfit, who lost Aliir Aliir to a knee injury on Friday night which could yet rule him out of the decider.

Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh and Rising Star Callum Mills missed the Cats game through injury, and are no certainties to be fit in time for Saturday.

"You can imagine the respect that we have for them," Beveridge said.

"It doesn't matter whether you're playing West Coast, Hawthorn or GWS, you come up against Sydney you've got to win your fourth game against one of the best teams that have ever gone around.

"We'll respect them but again we'll go in trying to do what we know best, whether that's a little bit of [Muhammad] Ali dance or a little bit of rope a dope. I don't think they'll let us dance too much."

Meanwhile, Giants coach Leon Cameron has hinted that suspended veteran Steve Johnson could play on at the club for another year.

Cameron will sit down with the former Cat this week to discuss his future with the club. Johnson missed Saturday's preliminary final through suspension, and has the option in his contract to play on for one more season if he chooses.

"We'll have that discussion, it's probably more likely than unlikely I reckon, he's obviously had a terrific year," Cameron said.

"It's disappointing he didn't play tonight but that's life. He's fit in well with our footy club, but I mean this time of year is always interesting because of the shifting and moving of players. We understand it happens a lot more than it used to.

"I'll probably have that chat with him early next week but it's probably more likely than unlikely."

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