IF ANY Western Bulldogs players are thinking about the possibility of a fairytale return to the finals, they certainly aren't admitting it to coach Luke Beveridge.

The Bulldogs consolidated their position in the top eight with an impressive 18-point win over fellow finals aspirant Collingwood at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Beveridge lauding his team for moving the ball better than it has for some time.

The Dogs, who have won five of their past six games, now have a favourable run with games against Essendon, Port Adelaide (home), Melbourne, and a last-round fixture against Brisbane Lions (away).

Beveridge says his players are simply focused on short-term goals and would let the rest take care of itself.

Click here for Luke Beveridge's full media conference

"I just asked them whether or not they're thinking about (finals) and none of them volunteered that they had," Beveridge said in his post-match media conference.

"They're giving the boring answer as well that they're taking it one week at a time.

"And it is important that we just focus on Essendon now and try and get our 11th (win) and not look much further than that.

"Our side's changed from week to week, and so dramatically, so you just don't know what's going to come your way.

The Bulldogs coach felt his side was "going OK without going brilliantly" and was hopeful that it would be boosted by the return of ruckman Jordan Roughead and key defenders Fletcher Roberts and Joel Hamling over the next fortnight.

Beveridge said the Bulldogs' best 22 had evolved throughout the season due to form and injury, but he was encouraging his players to play the same, fast style regardless.

Such was the speed of the contest against Collingwood, Beveridge was concerned that his side might be overrun, but was proud that it maintained composure to hold off a late challenge when the Pies twice clawed back to within two goals.

He said it would be preferable to be able to play at different speeds when the situation warranted it, but was confident his players would find the right balance with experience.

"We'd like to find it on a more consistent basis, but we haven't moved the ball as well as we have tonight, in recent times. So you can't have your cake and eat it too," he said. "I'd rather move it that well and quick all the time than go slow and play into the opposition's defensive action."

Beveridge was pleased with the "even contribution" of his players against the Pies and was impressed with the performance of Lachie Hunter, who produced probably the best of his 29 AFL games, gathering a career-high 32 possessions in just his fifth game of the season.

"He had a really solid game as a winger-forward. If that's his new benchmark, hopefully he can come close to it week to week," Beveridge said.

"He's had a difficult year and he's played a bit of VFL footy but that type of game is what we're after from him. He's one of our young guys who will continue to get better."

Beveridge believed Tom Campbell, with support from bullocking forward Jack Redpath, performed well against Pies pair Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts, but was concerned about the number of ruck infringements paid against his team. Campbell received five frees and gave away four.

"I think the whole competition will need to talk about the ruck situation and free kicks because I'm just not sure about it at the moment," Beveridge said.

"Tommy got too many against him, so you change your message to your ruckmen. (The frees) were probably there but I think we need to work out what it is, because a lot more have been paid this weekend and I didn't see it coming.

"I haven't looked at the detail … but if a stricter interpretation is being enforced, we just need to make sure we adjust as coaches and as players."