The Western Bulldogs’ destiny is in their own hands with one home-and-away game to go in an extraordinary 2020 season.
The Bulldogs leapt into the top eight for the first time since Round 13 with a six-goal win over Hawthorn on Sunday in Adelaide.
Standing between them and a finals spot is a vastly-improved Fremantle, who have won their last two games.
Lose to the Dockers and that prized top eight berth will hinge on the results of other Round 18 matches.
“It’s great to get ourselves in this position where we know if we win, we’re in. It’s been an important couple of weeks,” coach Luke Beveridge told reporters after the win over the Hawks.
“It’s going to be a big challenge against the Dockers. They’ve been impressive in recent times. We’ve got a big hurdle in front of us.
“Aside from the Carlton game, we’ve been okay after the first two rounds.
“We’ve won quite a few games in the last 14, and we’ve been a better team, without shooting the lights out. There are some encouraging signs.”
The Bulldogs dominated the first half against the Hawks to set up a 40-point half time lead, and eventually ran out 36-point winners.
Caleb Daniel was a standout with 28 disposals and 11 marks, strengthening calls for him to be included in the All-Australian squad.
“Today they sent a negative forward to Caleb in the second half, because he was having an influence,” Beveridge said.
“We’ll respond to that at different times, and we did in the last quarter. He played a different role late in the game. It was good, he hasn’t kicked a goal in a while.
“I think he’s been as good as any across that half back area, and I’m sure he’ll be in calculations.”
The Bulldogs are expecting to confirm a serious knee injury to Toby McLean in the coming days, with the 24-year-old forced from the field on a stretcher in the first quarter against the Hawks.
