WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has conceded his re-jigged backline will be a work in progress as the club looks to rebound from its loss to North Melbourne and maintain a foothold in the top four.
The Bulldogs couldn't take their chance to return to the top of the ladder on Friday night, and now face a stern test against Adelaide in a rematch of last year's brilliant elimination final.
WATCH: Luke Beveridge's full post-match press conference
With running defenders Bob Murphy (knee), Jason Johannisen (hamstring) and Matt Suckling (knee) missing, Beveridge shifted midfielder Lachie Hunter behind the ball against North Melbourne.
While continuing the move would be "robbing Peter to pay Paul", Beveridge said the Bulldogs had needed to re-work their back six.
"We sent Lachie Hunter back, we felt like we needed a bit of a better balance and some creativity and run," the coach said on Friday night.
"Lachie gave us that and I thought he was quite outstanding. You're definitely robbing Peter to pay Paul a bit … but [moving him back] is an option.
"That back end has changed quite significantly now and it's going to be a week-to-week building block type thing … they need to play together with some continuity."
The Bulldogs managed to keep North Melbourne to its lowest score this season – 9.7 (61), exactly half its previous season average of 122 points – but they couldn't kick a winning score themselves.
Beveridge lamented his team's poor decision-making and execution going into attack, with the Dogs winning the inside 50s 56-46 but kicking just six goals.
"I think it's a common theme and a common thread with us week to week now that we're right in the game and we just get a bit frustrated that we can't ice it," the coach said.
"I keep talking about that as part of our maturation and where we're going and there's some young boys there who will continue to learn.
"The constant with our players is the honesty of their performance and you couldn't fault that tonight."
Star Bulldog Jake Stringer was held to just two marks by defender Scott Thompson and kicked 0.2, with his season tally stalled on 11 goals.
Often battling without any tall support, Beveridge said his Stringer would have been disappointed with some of his efforts but he had improved when used as a midfielder.
Jake's just turned 22 and he's come on in leaps and bounds in his AFL journey so far," the coach said.
"He's going to have some challenging times and tonight he had a few moments he'd want back.
"He's tracking well, but he probably won't be too happy with his game tonight."
