An in-form North Melbourne presents a ‘big challenge’ for the Western Bulldogs, says senior coach Luke Beveridge.
The two sides sit alongside each other on the ladder at sixth and seventh and are vying to secure the finals chances, with Beveridge saying the form of Brad Scott-led Kangaroos should present a tough contest.
“We’re trying to cement our place in the eight and maybe even finish as high as we can so North Melbourne presents a big challenge.
“Especially when you have a look at their form in recent times and beaten the top side last week so it’s a big challenge.”
That challenge will include potential All-Australian ruckman Todd Goldstein who leads the competition for hit outs, and has delivered first use to North’s midfielders all season.
“He’s going to be a big challenge for us,” Beveridge said.
“We’ll need to be at our best to combat Goldstein tomorrow and we’ll have some plans in place to do that.”
Despite Goldstein’s dominance, Beveridge said North would provide strong opposition in every area of the ground, particularly their potent forward line.
“They’re obviously an experienced strong-bodied group, they’re great in the contest and they’ve shown that against some very good sides when they’re at their best that they can win the day.
“We know that going in tomorrow if they’re right on their game that it’s going to make it really tough for us.
“They’re pretty rounded, they’ve got a pretty secure defence and obviously some really dangerous big forwards so we’ll need to have an even spread right through our lines to beat them.”
With both sides looking to cement a top-eight finish in the countdown to September, the stakes are high.
Beveridge was still resolute in avoiding talk of the much hyped ‘F-word', with the Bulldogs top-eight chances still not locked in.
“Until we can actually say ‘yes, we’re absolutely, definitely in there’, everyone probably thinks I’m an idiot because I won’t acknowledge it.
“Everyone’s saying we can’t miss out but we can, so we really want to beat North Melbourne and at the end of the game say we’re in there now but we’ve got to get that job done.
“We feel really positive, we’re really buoyant about the journey, we’re trying to add to that story this weekend.”
