Luke Beveridge addressed the media at Melbourne airport ahead of the team’s flight to Perth on Friday morning, and westernbulldogs.com.au lists the four key takeaways from his press conference.
On Tom Boyd's return
The big man returns to the side this week for his first senior match since midway through last season and Beveridge says he's excited to be back.
"It's been a long time. Obviously he's had some things in his life that he's had to deal with and he's fought his way back.
"He had a really strong pre-season, it's just taken him a little bit of time to find the footy and produce some good form, so it's great.
"He's really enthusiastic towards it and there was a big grin on his face when we told him he's back in."
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The developing young backline
The Dogs have been youngest side in the League this season and nowhere have they been more inexperienced that in their back half, but Beveridge has been encouraged by the early signs from his young charges.
"I've been really encouraged by what I've seen over the last couple of weeks with our backline with the younger fellas coming in.
"Yeah there was one or two blatant turnovers at important moments that weren't great... but we love the signs from the last couple of weeks to see Aaron (Naughton) playing so well and Ed Richards finding his feet.
"Bailey Williams (has) reallly taken his game to a new level, and Zaine Cordy's started off the year tremendously well.
"It's a promising last couple of weeks we hope we can build on.
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On the Dockers
Fremantle since two spots above the Dogs on the ladder with one extra win from the first month of the season.
"(They're) a bit like us, a young team and progressing well.
"They had some good periods in last week's game against GWS, who are a very good side and they've got the better of us in recent times.
"We know that their pressure and their intenstiy in their game can get any of the other seventeen clubs, so that's how we'll prepare."
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On Jack Redpath
The 27-year-old was left out of this week's side due to some soreness in his knee, and Beveridge says the Club will take a cautionary approach going forward.
"Jack's just got a little bit of irritation in his knee and it's best for him to have a spell.
"It's hard to forecast (how long he'll be out), but it could extend beyond this week. I wouldn't imagine it's longer than three but it may be that."
