WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade praised his team for returning to its trademark high-risk, fast-and-furious style of play in its 35-point win over Richmond at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Bulldogs, typically one of the highest scoring teams in the competition, went into the clash with the Tigers averaging only 78 points per game.

But they returned to form by booting seven goals in the opening quarter, before ending the afternoon with an impressive score of 23.15 (153).

"It was probably the best we've [played this season]," Eade said. "You modify your game-plan [to] how the game is going and players have been stuck in conservative mode for a while.

"Last week really hit home how conservative we'd become, so we needed to lift.

"We have to move the ball a bit more quickly than what we've done and we did that today.

"That caused us some turnovers at times the other way and they probably got five or six goals when we've made some basic errors.

"Having said that, we have to keep on trying to actually do that, we have to obviously keep making the play."

Before taking on Richmond, the Dogs had won as many quarters as reigning premier Collingwood, which only suffered its first loss when beaten by Geelong on Friday night.

Yet Eade's men were 10 places below the Magpies on the ladder.

"Obviously the pressure builds the more you lose, no doubt about that," the coach admitted.

"There are always expectations on us, internally and externally.

"Having said that, we weren't really focussed on that, it was about the way we needed to play.

"We've hung tough as a group … we've stuck through it, there hasn't been any finger pointing."

The negative in the Bulldogs' effort was the fact they conceded 18 goals to a team that is not expected to feature in the finals.

"Probably the last couple were a bit disappointing, but a few of them we were making the play and we were caught offside when someone either fumbled a handball or missed a target," Eade said.

"You're going to make those, obviously the confidence has been down a bit and I think we need to spend a bit to make a bit.

"Players were trying to do that and I was really pleased that they were trying to take the game on.

"It cost us some goals, but I have no problem with that."

The Bulldogs have a brilliant recent record against Richmond.

They have now won eight of their last nine matches against the Tigers (the one they didn't win was a draw), and they were cruising again when the margin blew out to 52 points only seven minutes into the second quarter.

But Richmond fought back strongly, narrowing the gap to 12 in the third term, before the Dogs steadied and pulled away game.

"I wasn't really worried about the margin in that period when they kicked five or whatever they kicked," Eade said.

"There were some basic skill errors and a couple of structure things.

While Lindsay Gilbee was one of the match-winners, booting six goals, Eade reserved plenty of praise for his veteran midfielders Matthew Boyd and Daniel Cross.

"[Boyd] had a big cut on his eye, as did Daniel Cross, and I thought … the leaders were terrific today," he said.

"They set the tone. Ben Hudson has been under pressure, he set the tone as well.

"It was good to see some players who maybe have down on a bit of form, Gilbee and players like that, be able to lift."

Eade also had some pats on the back for young onballer Callan Ward, who was among the best players on the ground.

"He played very well today," Eade said. "He made some errors at times and he was able to retrieve the situation with some real toughness.

"He was as good as I've seen our midfielders play, he was terrific.

"One thing you're going to get with him is super courage, a bit like Cross and Boyd.

"You have those three and you have Picken as well, it certainly gives you a good foundation for the group."

The Bulldogs travel to Perth next weekend to take on the Eagles, and they might be bolstered by the return of injured forwards Barry Hall (ankle) and Shaun Higgins (groin).

"Once we get Hall and Higgins back, that helps the forward line structure," Eade said.

"Without saying 'definite', I think both will play."