Senior coach Luke Beveridge spoke to media ahead of Friday night’s clash with Carlton.

He’s what he had to say.

On team selection:

“(Liam) has had some pretty solid training sessions. Any definitive news about selection I’ll hold tight, but he’s the one likely to come in, absolutely.

“We feel that the Blues’ template at the moment is to have representation in those key position areas at either end of the ground. Whether it’s a third sort of medium-tall like a (Caleb) Marchbank historically, or a (Mitch) McGovern in their backline, and then forward of centre with the adjustments they’ve made with (Brodie) Kemp or (Jack) Silvagni to compliment (Charlie) Curnow or another tall; by and large we usually pick our team based on how we feel we should represent.

“With their timber – even with (Harry) McKay out – it just makes us think about it rather than influence us too much.

“We were rapt with Truck (Bailey Williams) and the team-centric role he played. We really value him on the wing, which is his primary position, but it was a break-glass situation that he had to do last week (in defence).

“That’s part of the posturing we are considering – that he just goes back to a wing. We just fortify that back end. Jonesy and James O’Donnell will probably be available as well, Buku had a strong game last week, and Lobby is in good form but we don’t want to play four key defenders. That’s not what we are after.”

On the emotions from last week:

“I think we’re happy to put it behind us to be frank. It was quite an emotional build up and I think our staff here in the administrative areas did an amazing job. You can imagine how much work they had in front of them to prepare for that game.

“After the event, we were really disappointed we didn’t win that game. It’s a celebratory year in regards to being around for 100 years, but the hard-core approach to an AFL game then takes precedent, so we now look to the Blues.

“They will want to register their first win and change the narrative pretty quickly – we’ll have to be on our toes.”

On where the team sits:

“I think it is too early. Our objective again this year is to be the best Bulldogs team that’s ever played in any season. That’s how lofty our approach is.

“Until you gear a little bit further into the year, you don’t know if you’re a chance to be that.

“That’s why our disappointment in not coming away with the four points last Friday night is justified – we want to win those games.

“The competition is still sorting itself out.”

On Adam Treloar:

“It is a frustrating setback. Understandably he’s flat and emotional about it – we all are. We want what’s best for Adam.

“When you consider the effect he had on the competition last year; to not be able to play footy at all so far this year, it weighs pretty heavily on him. He was probably just getting a sniff he might not be too far away (from playing).

“He’s bounced out of it pretty well, but now we just set our sights on another month and a half away.

“When it’s soft-tissue and tendons, it’s rare you’d go (to surgery), especially with calves. I don’t think it’s an option at the moment.”

On ruck options:

“It’s an option (giving Aaron Naughton ruck minutes). You weigh up who’s fresh off the interchange, and as you said who’s having the greater effect forward of the ball.

“There’s always a consideration around maintaining a stable environment at the stoppage – centre bounce is obviously the most open situation.

“With Naughts – you could see his force in Round 1 and against the Hawks in Launceston, which we didn’t really get last week against Collingwood.

“Depending on how tall your team is and your resources at either end, a key forward or key back can chip in especially when you’re trying to keep that position fresh.”

On Marcus Bontempelli:

“His recovery has probably been what’s expected. It’s an unusual set of circumstances for him because he hasn’t had a lot of interruption.

“He’s handling it and managing it well – I think he’s encouraged by guy who are stepping up in a leadership sense, whether it’s the younger guys or some of the more formalised leaders.

“It’s a great challenge for him to take his leadership to a different level and a different capacity, which as you’d expect is pretty sound."