While there were no points on offer for Luke Beveridge’s side on Saturday night, the first-year coach was as pleased with his side’s 61-point defeat of Collingwood.

An efficient Bulldogs side held the Magpies to just eight goals, while his side booted 18 of their own, in the final round of NAB Challenge, with Beveridge satisfied with his side’s direction leading into round one.

“It was a pretty rounded performance, I was happy with most of it,” Beveridge said post-match.

“The way the lines worked together and the even spread from a contribution viewpoint, (I was) really pleased with that.

“We don’t get anything tangible from it. It’d be nice to get four points but we know we don’t.

“We should be buoyed by it but we’ve got to keep it in perspective and we’ve got to prepare accordingly, and restart in two weeks’ time.”

Beveridge’s summer has focused on versatility, slick ball movement and forward half pressure.

It was evident on the weekend as the Dogs collected 418 disposals on their way to 18 goals, 12 of which came from turnovers.

“There’s no doubt that we want to distribute the ball better and transition a little bit differently. We had quite a few handballs, but they were good handballs.

“We used the footy pretty well, we challenged Collingwood’s defence, so I was pretty pleased with that output for most of the night.”

Although Beveridge won’t get his four points, the new coach was content with the promise showed by his side.

“We went in with a formal rehearsal sort of mindset and it came together pretty well tonight.

“(We were) encouraged more than anything that maybe the fruits of our labour might be pretty colourful if we continue to trot that sort of stuff out.”