LUKE Beveridge has played down the significance of the Western Bulldogs' looming clash with top-four rivals West Coast, saying his side has "come a long way" regardless of the result in Perth next Sunday.

The Dogs tuned up for the trip west with a 98-point hammering of Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, built on a stunning avalanche of 12 unanswered goals from the opening bounce.

The Bullies' 13^th win for the season lifted them back above the Sydney Swans into fourth spot, and they can cement a finals double-chance by upsetting the Eagles on their patch next Sunday.

"West Coast have had a terrific year, they've faced all sorts of obstacles with their injuries," Beveridge said.

"Simmo's (Adam Simpson) doing a sensational job as all his staff are to get them to where they are at this point in the season.

"Obviously we had a win over them at the start of the year (10 points in round one) when things were pretty fresh. They'll be looking to get their own back.

"Win, lose or draw, we've come a long way, but obviously we'll be going after the 'W'."

Despite his team sitting 10 points clear inside the top eight with three games to go, Beveridge shied away from talking about a fairytale finals berth, which now seems elementary. 

However, he spruiked his side's effort to restrict an opponent to fewer than 60 points on the fast Etihad track for the fourth time this season.

Are the Dogs unbeatable at Etihad?

The Dogs were also lethal in attack, booting 24 goals from 12 goalkickers, with Jake Stringer bagging four majors and Marcus Bontempelli, Tory Dickson and Jarrad Grant chipping in three apiece.

"We're scoring heavily, but defensively we've been really sound and that balance is really important for us," he said.

"We had a dozen goalkickers and that's always healthy."

After going into half-time up by 73 points, the Dogs were held goalless in the third term as the Dees fought back to trail by 42 points at the final change.

But Beveridge wasn't overly concerned by the tide turning for one quarter.

"No, I won't get stuck on the third quarter. There was some outstanding footy from our players in three of the quarters and it's pretty hard to keep it up for four these days," he said.

Midfielders Luke Dahlhaus (32 disposals, one goal), Lachie Hunter (28, one) and Mitch Wallis (24, one) helped drive the final term, with the Dogs surging home with 10 goals for the quarter.

Beveridge conceded it would be tough to drop any players for the Eagles clash, but the Bulldogs' match committee could have some selection headaches this week.

Vice-captain Jordan Roughead returned from a foot injury in the VFL on Saturday and boom recruit Tom Boyd bagged five goals – including the match-winner in the final minute - in Footscray's win over Port Melbourne.

"'Roughy' was OK. He's missed a little bit of footy now, not an enormous amount, but because it was a foot it meant he couldn't run a lot and that always presents a challenge when you're coming back," Beveridge said.

"Tommy hasn't missed a beat since he's gone back to VFL level and he's putting pressure on those spots.

"Jack (Redpath) and Tommy Campbell were again really strong today and held their end up, but we're rapt with what Tommy's doing at VFL level and he's one of those players I mentioned that will continue to be in the mix for selection."