THE WESTERN Bulldogs’ thrilling, upset win over Geelong on Friday night could prove a signpost performance for a developing team, proud Dogs coach Luke Beveridge says.

The bold Bulldogs, who were one down for most of the night after Lin Jong suffered another broken collarbone, won by two points at Etihad Stadium when Geelong veteran Harry Taylor’s set shot after the siren from 40 metres sailed wide.

“Maybe we got a little bit of luck come our way, but I think we’d earnt it,” Beveridge said post-match.

DOGS OFF THE LEASH Full match coverage and stats

The 5-9 Dogs, who snapped a five-game losing streak and an 11-game hoodoo against the Cats, have now produced two strong efforts in successive outings against top-eight teams, having been pipped by North Melbourne last round.

Asked what he hoped to achieve in the last eight rounds of the season, a creative Beveridge referenced a dance move made famous by the late ‘King of Pop’, Michael Jackson.

“We’ve just beaten a very good side, a team that we think will be there at the end of the year, so it shows what we’re capable of,” Beveridge said.

“As long as we don't backtrack (and) ‘moonwalk’ from that. I think (singer) Dan Hartman was the best moonwalker. As long as we don't ‘Dan Hartman’. We’ve just got to keep looking ahead.

“We’ve got another opportunity this week (against Hawthorn) to hopefully put another pretty good side on edge.”

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Beveridge believed it was a significant result that would build belief among his young charges.

“When you're trying to establish yourself as an outfit that becomes a contender again, you look for those wins that create some cohesion and some strong memories around what you can do together, and tonight’s one of those wins,” he said.

“We’ve had them in the past (and they) have set us up for the future, and there’s no doubt tonight’s one of those victories.

“The boys who haven't played a lot of games together are searching for what they can do for each other and how we can jell.

“We’re asking them to play a certain way, defend a certain way, use the footy a certain way. Ultimately, though, it's instinctive. The boys are the ones who have to make the decisions under pressure and to see the way we did it tonight as a group, it's a very meaningful night for us.

“I expressed that to the boys and obviously they were feeling that.”

WATCH Luke Beveridge's full post-match media conference

The Dogs coach said the recent return of key defenders Marcus Adams and Dale Morris had been pivotal to the team’s improvement.

“It’s made a huge difference,” Beveridge said.

“We haven't had access to ‘Picko’ (Liam Picken), to Clay (Smith), to ‘Libba’ (Tom Liberatore), to ‘Moz’ (Morris) – the four really combative, contested-type strong players that teammates feed off.

“And Marcus (Adams) has had two outstanding starts to (seasons) and then we’ve lost him for the back end. His last two weeks have been incredible and really helped teammates around him.

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“And obviously Dale is really influential.

“Having them back there has allowed us to do some different things with our high defenders as well and it’s flowed through the team.”

Beveridge said he hoped to have Matt Suckling – who was a late withdrawal with achilles soreness and was replaced by Jong – available to take on his former club.