Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge can start to believe that his team has what it takes to contend for a premiership after a 90-point thrashing of Port Adelaide at MARS Stadium.
The Bulldogs have made it three wins on the trot, taking down St Kilda (71 points) and GWS (32 points) in emphatic fashion, placing them fifth on the ladder.
But Beveridge said Saturday's victory was the best of 2025, with contributors coming from all across the ground.
"You have to say so (about the best win of the year)," Beveridge said.
"We came here today with both teams in a similar situation, a little bit of momentum, a little bit of belief up to the surface.
"So after the start of it with 0-10 in clearance and our backs just being able to weather that storm, to get on top so emphatically was quite important. And then I think from then on it was really an even spread of contribution from so many."
Power gun Zak Butters was a significant reason for the visiting club's early dominance, but when tough-nut Tom Liberatore halted his momentum, the tide changed.
The Bulldogs won the clearance battle 49 to 35, but Beveridge was more impressed with the centre bounce stoppages, especially given the trying conditions in Ballarat.
"We did try something a little bit different," Beveridge revealed.
"Zak Butters in the first quarter had six clearances and a fair bit of the footy, so Tom (Liberatore) spent a bit of time on him as the game went on. We need to quell Zak's influence... that made a significant difference.
"We then just shared the load. The centre bounce situation was really encouraging."
That also allowed Liberatore's teammates to get off the chain, with Ed Richards (two goals, 30 disposals, five clearances and 729 metres gained), Marcus Bontempelli (three goals, 23 touches and eight tackles), Matthew Kennedy (26 possessions and 11 clearances) and Adam Treloar (one goal, 27 touches and three clearances) dominating.
Ruckman Tim English also produced a season-best performance, slotting three majors, collecting 27 touches, four clearances, 30 hit-outs, game-high 17 score involvements, and three direct goal assists.
But the veterans of the Whitten Oval club are joined by the emergence of Joel Freijah and Ryley Sanders, adding further depth to Beveridge's side.
"It runs pretty deep now," Beveridge agreed.
"We've got some options, and we can share the load through there. We just need to continue to play to our strengths. The opposition will do its homework on us."
The Bulldogs now set up a mouth-watering clash with Gold Coast at TIO Stadium.
