YOUNG Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English has improved across the season despite Collingwood opponent Brodie Grundy's masterclass on Sunday, according to Dogs coach Luke Beveridge.

Grundy was one of the most influential players in the contest as the Magpies won by nine points at Marvel Stadium, with the in-form big man collecting 25 disposals, six clearances, 50 hitouts and booting two crucial goals. 

He won the Robert Rose Medal as the best player in the game.

PIES EDGE DOGS Full match coverage and stats

English, 21, isn't the first ruckman this season to be unable to match the star Magpie and Brownlow Medal contender, and Beveridge said the top-20 pick had come a long way in 2019 despite struggling to match Grundy.  

"Tim's really progressed this year and played some really influential games for us. Sometimes against the best two or three [ruckmen] in the competition he's learning different things," Beveridge said post-game.

"This afternoon was a little bit about Grundy's positioning and who was getting access with their hands, and as a consequence who was able to get access at ground level.

"Tim still did some good things for us but ultimately they get a little bit of momentum off that, so Tim will look at the things Grundy does well and maybe bring one or two things into his game.

"He'll be better for the experience and I'm sure he'll put his best foot forward this week."

English managed 14 disposals and 16 hitouts in the defeat and has played 11 games for the Dogs this year.

WATCH Luke Beveridge's full post-match press conference

Beveridge lamented his side's inability to convert its opportunities across the contest, having led the Magpies in inside 50 entries 58-43 and recorded more disposals (454 to 405).

The Bulldogs will also rue their inaccuracy in front of goal, having booted 10.13 to the Pies' 13.4.

"In many ways I'm pleased with a lot of the elements of the game, but it was a game that was there for the taking and if we convert some of those set shots in the third quarter it gives us the impetus we were after," he said.

"And you feel like you're being rewarded for your hard work. But we could never get our noses in front and it's difficult playing catch-up against a reasonably experienced side.

"I was really pleased with the way the boys dug in."

GAMEBREAKER Grundy and De Goey own the game

The Dogs dropped premiership forward Toby McLean for the clash, with the 23-year-old struggling to hit top form this season.

Beveridge said McLean had been "held over" for the weekend as an emergency so didn't play this weekend, but will be in the mix to return next week against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. 

The coach is looking for McLean, who was an important player in the club's 2016 flag triumph, to impact games more.

"He's been a good player for us for a period of time and it's the first time he's been out of the side for a long time," he said.

"We're searching for the players who can take us to the next level. We always talk about players influencing the result, and that's what we're after Toby to do week-in week-out."