"One down and a handful to go."
That is the mindset of the Western Bulldogs after a season-saving 88-point victory over fellow contenders GWS at Marvel Stadium on Thursday night.
The Bulldogs kept their finals hopes alive with the win, and have leapt back into the top eight to remain in contention for September.
A clash with Melbourne at the MCG awaits the club in Round 22, before hosting both Western Australia clubs in the final fortnight of the year to draw curtains on the home and away season.
Thursday's intoxicating performance was their second win against a top-eight side in 2025, with both of those successes coming against the Giants, and it has placed Luke Beveridge's men in the hunt for an eighth visit to the post-season since he took over in 2015.
"The cold, hard facts say that we need to keep winning. That's one down and a handful to go," Beveridge said.
"There is nothing to be unhappy about tonight. If I had asked you how you'd describe our players, our team, our club, throughout the course of the year, I think we've been pretty honest. Our players keep fronting up and giving their all.
"We understand the criticism around not being able to eke our way further up the ladder and not being able to beat some teams above us; we get that, we've just got to own up to all that.
"Along the way, there hasn't been a game where I haven't been thankful that the players have put in and done their best. They get everything out of themselves, and tonight is another one where the application is there right across the 23 players."
In-form forward duo Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton got the largest licks of the ice-cream, with the pair both kicking five goals each.
It rounds out an impressive eight-week stretch from the Bulldogs' combination since Darcy's return from a knee injury. Together, they've pooled 60 goals (31 for Naughton, 29 for Darcy).
"They are big threats, aren't they?" Beveridge said. "We were getting the ball in, giving our key forwards looks in open field. The likes of Lachie McNeil, Caleb Poulter, Rhylee West – they are pretty hard to contend with.
"We felt we got some rewards from the fact the Giants were concerned about our key forwards. It opened up some things for our other players."
Beveridge was also quick to defend his defenders after consistent questions had rained down on their ability to stop the elite sides.
Despite sitting first in points for in the competition, the Bulldogs rank eighth for points against, and have tinkered with their line-up.
James O'Donnell, Jedd Busslinger and Rory Lobb restricted the Giants to 44 points, which was the visitors' second-lowest tally in 2025, and ended a six-game winning streak.
"I think our back seven have been beaten up a little bit with the critique of them," Beveridge said.
"The emerging players, and the evolution of that line along, we all take ownership of that cause, ultimately, you need your midfield group and forward group to contribute to your defensive system. And everyone stepped it up."
The Bulldogs' massive win coincided with breaking their membership record, eclipsing 63,000 to set a new mark in the club's 100th VFL/AFL season.
