Despite the eventual 53-point margin, the Bulldogs had to ‘fight and grind’ to get over the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night according to Koby Stevens.

Stevens himself was best afield after submitting an impressive 34 disposal, seven clearance and six tackle outing, but he told westernbulldogs.com.au in the rooms after the match that the gallant Lions would not go down easily.

“It was pretty hard work towards the end there but we stuck it out and it shows that we’ve had a pretty good pre-season, he said.

“They come out pretty hard and we just needed to step it up a gear and I think we did that. 

“We just kept fighting and fighting and grinding and grinding until it opened up and then we finally started to get everything right.”

The Dogs had contributors right across the ground, with Mitch Wallis and Matthew Boyd both cracking the 30-disposal mark, and Tom Liberatore performing well in an unfamiliar role across half-back.

Stevens said that the group prides itself on its versatility.

“For Tom Liberatore to go half back, it just shows our versatility and it was good to get the four points in the end.

“We adapt pretty well because it’s something that we adapt to because it’s something that we work on over the pre-season. 

“We need to be versatile and need to be able to play all three lines.”

The Bulldogs will face the top-of-the-table North Melbourne next Friday night at Etihad Stadium.