For the third time in as many weeks, the Western Bulldogs have kept their opponents to under 40 points. 

And for the third time in as many weeks, that has resulted in a win.

Star forward Josh Bruce will get the headlines after an equal career-best six goals in Saturday night’s 49-point triumph against the Roos – and senior coach Luke Beveridge was rapt to see him get reward for effort.

But perhaps more pleasing has been the consistency of his defensive group in recent weeks.

After conceding 27 goals in the opening two rounds, the Bulldogs have given up just 14 across the next three.

“It’s the third week in a row that we’ve kept an opposition side under 40 points,” Beveridge acknowledged in his post-game press conference.

“I mentioned after the St Kilda game (in round two) that we’d need to make some adjustments with our defence – not just our back six, but what we were doing around the footy. 

“I just think our back seven – the boys who went through there were outstanding tonight.

“Our high defenders and our aerialists, and both ‘Keathy’ and Zaine down there deeper, they were just brilliant.”

BULLDOGS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and stats

Former skipper Easton Wood had missed the past three weeks with a quad injury, but was superb on his return from injury against the Roos.

The 30-year-old was dominant in the air with nine marks and finished the game with a team-high nine intercepts. 

“He’s got a lot of footy left in him, Easton,” Beveridge said. 

“He absolutely plays his best footy when he’s in the middle of everything. 

“Historically, teams have put a bit of time into him with negative forwards, and how it’s not just him – it’s Hayden Crozier and it’s Bailey Williams helping wherever they can in the air. 

“There’s some chemistry down there which is promising for us.”