The Western Bulldogs want to be difficult to play against and their performance against the Sydney Swans on Sunday shows there are signs of progress.

Winning in contested possessions (WB 169, SYD 167), clearances (51, 43) and tackles (96, 79), the defensive pressure was intense over the four quarters.

Defender Michael Talia felt the lift in pressure first-hand and said there was a lot to like from the Bulldogs’ physicality.

“To come up against the reigning premier there was no time or space with the footy,” Talia said.

“Something I certainly noticed was how strong they were and how fast they were.

“You had no time with the footy, so there was a lot of crash and bash out there.”

Sydney may have taken the four points and consolidated their place as a top two side but the young Bulldogs ensured the win did not come easy, remaining in touch for the majority of the game.

“I suppose our main thing was to match them in contested ball, obviously Sydney are a very good contested ball side and we rate our side pretty highly in that area,” he said.

“So we just wanted to match them in contested ball and turn that into uncontested possession and work hard on the spread so that was the main thing.”

Sydney broke the game open in red time during the third quarter with three consecutive goals to create a buffer the Bulldogs couldn’t close.

Talia said it was minor lapses that have been costly, but once the team eliminate gaps, their four quarter performances can match it with the best.

“We just have to be able to eradicate those two or three minute slip ups and we will be fine, we are heading in the right direction,” he said.