A disappointed Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge firmly believes there will be no lasting legacy from the Club’s Grand Final loss to Melbourne.

The Bulldogs led by 19 points during the third quarter but were overrun by the Demons at Optus Stadium on Saturday night.

The Dogs overcame massive odds to make it to the premiership decider, winning in three different states and enduring 22 days of strict hotel quarantine.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for what our players have been able to do to get us to this stage,” Beveridge told media after the game.

“It’s a matter of picking them up now and staying close and staying together and looking after each other.

“Has our journey been too taxing, has it taken it out of us?  I’m not sure.  There’s no doubt it’s been arduous.  We’ve had some challenges.

“Hopefully we can be a team that’s up there again in the future, but we’ve got to do a lot of things right in the off-season to ensure we come again.”

The Grand Final margin of 74 points took the gloss off the Bulldogs’ achievements in 2021, but Beveridge believes it won’t define them.

“Our players and our club started to inspire people again.  We started to be recognised.  Our players were lauded – our individuals, our team, our people,” he said.

“On a day like today, it definitely subtracts from that, and that’s a disappointing part.  But they’re made of special things, our people and our players.  I’ve got no doubt there’ll be no lasting legacy from this.

“I think the legacy will be more positive around our experiences.  Like every club we aspire to finish first or second and get the double chance.  We were in a position to do that for a period of the year, so there’s been some growth.”

After being in control of the contest when skipper Marcus Bontempelli goaled at the 13-minute mark of the third quarter, the Demons wrested back the momentum in a devastating 15-minute burst before the final change.

“You’ve got give Melbourne credit,” Beveridge said.

“To think we were 19 points up during that third quarter. For the scoreline to end up like it was, was a considerable show of power and strength out of the middle.

“That happened so quickly.  In the blink of an eye the game was almost gone.  All you can only credit them.

“Our guys showed a lot of heart to fight their way back, and to get up, but in these games where there’s no tomorrow you just can’t give the opposition a look.”