THERE IS too much at stake for the Western Bulldogs to get carried away with having won a spot in the preliminary final, says coach Luke Beveridge.
After knocking Hawthorn out of the premiership race before a prelim for the first time since 2010, Beveridge said he imagined many Bulldogs supporters would feel euphoric.
But he said the players would find it easy to focus on playing Greater Western Sydney for a spot in the Grand Final.
"There is a big carrot right in front of us," Beveridge said.
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The coach accepted the fact the final would be played at Spotless Stadium, which has a capacity of 24,000, but said he hoped at least 12,000 Bulldogs fans would be able to get tickets to the game.
"We've just got to suck that up and go up there and do our very best," Beveridge said.
For once this season, the Bulldogs appeared to escape the game injury-free and Beveridge said they were in good shape to take on the Giants' challenge.
"We have timed our run with our health OK," Beveridge said.
WATCH Top five plays of the semi-final
He praised the players for their attitude throughout the season when facing adversity and said they were gaining a payoff now.
"There hasn't been a negative vibe at any point in the year, no matter what they have been up against," Beveridge said.
"Now they are in good nick and tonight was just a great performance against a real formidable opposition."
Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, who Beveridge worked alongside at Hawthorn, arrived in the Bulldogs room post-game to wish his former assistant all the best.
Beveridge said it was an indication of Clarkson's character.
"I owe him a lot," Beveridge said.
They have won just one of their previous 10 preliminary finals, but they enter the game in brilliant form.
Beveridge said the rivalry between the two clubs was not any greater because Ryan Griffen left the club while he was the Bulldogs skipper, to join the Giants, although he did concede the occasion may have significance for Griffen and Tom Boyd, who joined the Dogs as part of the trade.
"I don't think it will enter into our mindset too much," Beveridge said.
The Bulldogs have an eight-day break before taking on the team that defeated them by 25 points in round nine.
"It's a big achievement for our boys and the club," Beveridge said.
