Bulldogs building up, brick by brick

WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has likened the reigning premiers’ pursuit of stability of form to a game of Jenga. And he’s hoping the tower doesn’t come crashing down against Brisbane today.

Beveridge said last week that with three wins in a row the team was looking more like its “recognisable and threatening” best self.

And the effort to ensure it is sustained has shades of the block-based skill game.

“You’ve got to continue to find new stimulus to support the way you’re playing,” Beveridge said.

“I think there’s the constant reminder that ‘that was yesterday’ or ‘that was last week’.

“It’s almost like playing Jenga — you’ve got to stack the blocks up again and play the whole game again, pull the blocks out, take your risks and have a steady hand when you need it. [Today] is another game where history doesn’t mean anything.

“But it is encouraging that we’ve jelled a little bit better in recent times. It just gives you that belief around system, more than anything.”

Beveridge said that in today’s clash at the Gabba, the Lions will be trying to “pull [the Dogs apart] like the Jenga tower”, having led by 35 points last time the teams met before the Bulldogs pulled away.

Skipper Bob Murphy made the trip north as the team’s travelling emergency.