THE WESTERN Bulldogs have won two in a row. They started the season that way as well, but this feels different for coach Luke Beveridge.
In trouncing flag contender Richmond and willing themselves over the line against the promising Brisbane at Mars Stadium, they showed something they didn't in their victories against Sydney and Hawthorn to open the year.
"Even in our early wins, we probably didn't play a consistent four quarters. The last two weeks, we've been strong," Beveridge said.
DOGS LAND ON MARS Full match coverage and stats
"I think we've discovered some consistency, but we haven't rediscovered it, because I don't really think it was there.
"It's a credit to the lads to be able to establish that the last two weeks."
Much of that has been driven by hard-nosed midfielder Josh Dunkley, who was enormous on Saturday afternoon, racking up 36 disposals, 22 contested possessions, 10 clearances and five inside-50s, all career-highs.
A tweak to his role has given him the opportunity to really thrive.
WATCH Luke Beveridge's full post-match media conference
"Sometimes the lead role with some of those midfield responsibilities changes. He's probably had more of a lead role the last couple of weeks," Beveridge said.
"That's more because Josh is a pretty powerful athlete as well. He's just strong at the contest.
"We made a decision post the Dockers game to do that.
"We felt like it was important to spread the load even more through there, but because of his capacity and capability as an athlete, as much as a footballer, we challenged him with that."
He's not the only young stud in this team. Aaron Naughton is another, although he didn't look deserving of that praise in the opening term when he didn't have a single possession, having been blanketed by Harris Andrews.
Then there was a spilled mark in the second quarter. From someone who took nine contested grabs last week, it just seemed to not be Naughton's day.
He turned it around though. Showing impressive resolve, the 19-year-old was the match-winner, bagging three goals.
WATCH Naughton's second-half blitz
"In the end, we just said to him 'Break the shackles, just play and set up a bit deeper at times'. He just started to get off the chain," Beveridge said.
"I think they were worried about him. He halved and won a few one-vs-twos that really helped us."
Scoring has long been troublesome for Beveridge's side, but after scoring 92 points in beating the Lions in cold conditions, following on from 99 against the Tigers, things might be starting to change.
"Over the last couple of weeks, we feel like when we take it forward, we can score," Beveridge said.
"The lads are complementing each other with the patterns they're running and we've got a pretty open forward line. It seems to be working OK."
Find Trends on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify
