TIM ENGLISH'S dominant display against Essendon on Friday night was clearly the best game of the young ruckman's career, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says. 

English monstered his older opponent, Andrew Phillips, gathering 22 disposals, seven marks, six clearances and kicking a goal in the Bulldogs' comfortable 42-point win. 

BOMBERS v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats

He set the tone in the first quarter, crashing into Phillips at centre bounces, and laying a tap down the throat of Marcus Bontempelli, which led directly to a Matt Suckling goal. 

English grew in confidence as the night progressed, following up well at stoppages and becoming a major influence with his athleticism around the ground. 

THE LADDER Where is your team sitting?

"It's definitely his best individual performance in his career," Bulldogs coach Beveridge said. 

"For him to have a really dominant night, that's exciting for our football club." 

Beveridge said despite his lighter frame, English was always optimistic and up for any challenge. 

WORTH THE WEIGHT How English has started repaying Dogs' faith

"We've always asked him to really play to his strengths and that's what he's done," he said.

"When you're so tall, you're going to provide the team with some aerial opportunities and tonight he not only did that, he was influential with his ruck play with his hitouts and he really got us going. 

"Tonight, you know, it is probably a little bit of an awakening for him that he can have a significant impact on the game." 

Essendon coach John Worsfold agreed the 22-year-old was the Bulldogs' prime mover, although he had plenty of midfielders to take advantage. 

Bontempelli starred, while Jack Macrae and Lachie Hunter also won plenty of ball. 

With Phillips being soundly beaten, Worsfold said the Bombers had other options to turn to ahead of the round eight match against Adelaide if they thought a change was needed. 

Tom Bellchambers has missed the past two matches, but the Essendon coach said he had been going well. 

"Tom's feeling much better," he said. 

"We've managed his program to get some work into him. He's got a lot of soreness out and he's moving really well, he's had a couple of hitouts in the match sim work we've been doing.

"Sam Draper has played a couple of games now. He's sat out for 12 months (ACL) but is progressing really well.

"We've got options we can consider. That doesn't mean that we don’t have faith that Phillips, after getting a good week this week to freshen up, could do the job for us."