THE EFFORT of recalled ruckman Will Minson against Giants’ monolith Shane Mumford was “crucial” in lifting the Western Bulldogs’ midfield over the top of their talented Greater Western Sydney counterparts on Saturday, according to coach Luke Beveridge.

Minson was came back to the seniors for his first game since round three, and just two days after winning a VFL tribunal appeal against a four-match suspension for umpire contact.

He made light work of Mumford in a performance rated by teammate Matthew Boyd as one of the best games the 30-year-old has played for a while.

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Giants' coach Leon Cameron also conceded Minson "had the better of Shane", but that his man went "down fighting".

Beveridge said Minson worked well with Jordan Roughead and gave the Dogs a "presence" in the battle of the big men in the 45-point victory.

"Probably for the first time this year we exerted some kind of … not dominance, but definitely our mids could feed off that a little bit," Beveridge said.

"So between the two of them I thought they worked really well, and 'Minno' coming in was terrific for us.

"Mumford has been a real powerhouse and a real tractor around the footy and he imposes himself physically.

"I felt our rucks were able to do their best to negate that and provide us with some first use at times.

"He was crucial in there, Will, and so was 'Roughy'."


After Melbourne controlled the midfield in last week's 39-point win, Beveridge said the Dogs were keen to rebound in that area. He said Mitch Wallis' 36 disposals – 18 of which were contested – were significant after he was called on to make a stand.

"Mitch was outstanding. We really needed him to stand up," he said.

"We haven't been going so well in the midfield as far as arresting control and winning that line, so today against such a talented GWS midfield we really needed some leadership and we needed hardness.

"He was terrific up forward too. Some of his one-on-ones he either won or he halved, so he really showed us today that he can play there as well as midfield."

Beveridge was happy with Tom Boyd's performance after he was subbed out with one handball to his name last week in a game in which he battled illness.

WATCH: Luke Beveridge's full press conference here

He admitted there was a "little bit of a risk" with making six changes – which became seven when Jake Stringer pulled out with sickness before the bounce – to last week's side.

But they'll likely need to make another for next Saturday night's clash with Port Adelaide with Marcus Bontempelli subbed out with an adductor strain that is expected to be “touch and go” in seven days time.

After feeling as though they were "off a little bit" last week against Melbourne, Beveridge said the players were up from the first bounce.

"We learnt a fair bit about last week and we probably learnt that the players and them as teammates, they expect a certain thing from each other," he said.

"They probably didn't get it last week, so if today's a little bit of a benchmark for us, hopefully that will hold us in good stead."