There is no shortage of positive signs for the Western Bulldogs after a solid showing across all areas of the ground against Carlton on Sunday.

Whether it be Adam Cooney lifting the midfield, Luke Dahlhaus providing an extra spark across the forward half or Easton Wood stepping up to the challenge on dangerous Carlton forward Andrew Walker, things are looking up for the Bulldogs.

Captain Matthew Boyd is glad to see things falling into place for the team but insists there is still a long way to go.

“We have always had belief and it has just been the ability to put the plan into action I guess, and we weren’t able to do that earlier in the year,” Boyd said.

“We have worked fairly hard on the deficiencies in our game and we still feel like we have a lot of deficiencies that we need to work on but we are starting to improve on them and put competitive performances together.”

Turning their focus to this weekend’s game against North Melbourne, Boyd said that they will not take their newfound form for granted.

North Melbourne were on the receiving end of a 117 point mauling at the hands of Collingwood on Sunday and will be keen to turn the tables around.

“We’ve got North Melbourne this week who are going to come out firing, we know that they are a proud club and we need to keep performing,” he said.

“The old cliché of one week at a time, that is all that we can do.”

Young Guns Dahlhaus, Wood and Andrew Hooper were instrumental in Sunday’s win against Carlton showing a lot of heart both on and off the ball.

Hooper reacted to an underwhelming first half by coming up with two goals in the third and fourth terms while Dahlhaus also added six points to the scoreboard and used his speed to keep the opposition players accountable for the whole four quarters.

Enthused by the quality of youth coming up the ranks, Boyd believes they provide a new level of energy and lift which has been invaluable in the last four wins.

“They just bring a real enthusiasm and an energy to the group and that is what we need,” he said.

“Our backline was fantastic…Tommy Williams and Easton Wood and those sort of guys really played their role for us and did a fantastic job.

“Luke Dahlhaus along with Andrew Hooper has added a fair bit to our forward pressure and that is crucial in today’s game.”

Another inspirational figure around the club capable of raising the stakes is stalwart Adam Cooney.

“Cooney is obviously a Brownlow medallist, a super player and he is a leader around the footy club and he definitely gives a fair bit to the group in terms of his run and carry and his use of the ball as well,” Boyd said.

“With Coons coming back in and then we have Cal Ward in there as well, the strength of the midfield is growing with those guys up and fit and raring to go.

“It gives the opposition a few different looks with Ryan Griffen playing as well as he has been this year.”