Western Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge says his side aren’t contenders in 2020 – yet. 

However, a win against the Geelong Cats would go a fair way in changing that.

The Bulldogs sit just inside the top eight, with a 7-6 record to their name, ahead of a Friday night blockbuster against the third-place Cats on the Gold Coast.

With another ‘footy frenzy’ just around the corner, it’s looming as a frantic race to the finish in 2020.

“Blink and you’ll miss the back-end of this home and away season,” Beveridge said today.

“Hopefully we can make it to the business end and give ourselves a look.

“It is a great challenge, playing the Cats. I think they played probably the best game that anyone’s played all year against the Saints at The Gabba a number of weeks back. Their intensity, and they beat the Saints – who we really rate – at their own game, I thought they were outstanding.

“We’re under no illusions we’re going to play a really strong outfit tomorrow night.”

Beveridge was full of praise for the Cats in addressing the media today.

Gun forward Tom Hawkins and star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield were highlighted by Beveridge who acknowledged the Cats now had a spread of contributors who could influence the outcome of games.

The Cats have won their past four games to push firmly into premiership contention.

“Beating a team like Geelong would definitely give you that internal, extra belief that you’re good enough to beat the teams up there,” Beveridge said.

“There will be some real positives about it if we can pull it off.

“But the challenges still remain post that… it doesn’t get any easier week-to-week.

“We’ve seen what the West Coast Eagles have been doing, Fremantle are playing a really strong brand of footy and Hawthorn can beat anyone on their day.

“To beat Geelong would be a great coup this week.”