A tough, unrelenting contest against Essendon on Sunday has Western Bulldogs Senior Coach Brendan McCartney confident the Club’s young stable are maturing.

While the Bombers took the four points, McCartney said the Bulldogs took progressive steps forward in all facets of the game and exhibited a brand of football they want to build their reputation on.

“We certainly held our own. There were times where we looked really good with the ball and all areas of the game showed signs that they were progressing,” McCartney said.

“There were some good examples today where we forced them to take risks that they took because they were trying to move the ball and there was no space.

“I think we are showing signs – not every week, we have had some up and down patches [but] we are on the right track.”

It was young  Bulldogs’ willingness to take the game on that pleased McCartney, particularly early, when Essendon jumped out of the blocks in the first term.

“We were so pleased with a lot of our younger blokes when it wasn’t going great in the first quarter, they were the ones that jumped into the game and where happy to have the ball,” he said.

“That was terrific for us, good signs.”

“We are confident our development program is tracking the right way.”