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AAP
AAP
Roger Vaughan

Emotional Beveridge lauds Twentyman after big Dogs win

Tom Liberatore starred as the Bulldogs strolled home against hapless West Coast. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

Luke Beveridge was close to tears as he paid tribute to youth worker and passionate Western Bulldogs fan Les Twentyman, following their big AFL win over West Coast.

The Bulldogs coach and his players wore black armbands on Sunday at Marvel Stadium in honour of Twentyman, who died last week.

An emotional Beveridge said Twentyman's example was a theme as they cruised to a 76-point win over the hapless Eagles, 16.10 (106) to 3.12 (30).

It equalled West Coast's sixth-lowest score, and last year's wooden spooners have now lost all 12 quarters so far this season.

The game had extra meaning for Beveridge, who said he received a video from Twentyman as recently as a few days ago.

"We did talk about that today as a group, as a team and as a club - the enabling of other people to do good, and that can really manifest in your own team," Beveridge said.

"(It can) have a significant impact on how formidable you can be. We did look for some inspiration from Les's life.

Luke Beveridge
An emotional Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge speaks to his players during the win over West Coast. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

"He was always one of those people who thought that just a little thing can snowball into a really big thing, reach critical mass.

"I admire him greatly for that. We've lost a great person."

After an even first quarter, with two goals apiece, the Bulldogs went on an 11-goal spree and the Eagles did not kick their third major until midway through the final term.

Beveridge noted a big win could cloud their thinking, but one fact was undeniable ahead of next Saturday night's big game against Geelong.

"What we talked about was the fact that at three-quarter time, West Coast were 19 points," he said.

"We had to work hard defensively ... (it was) where it needed to be, so we liked that aspect. That's probably the highlight for us, not necessarily kicking 100 points.

"It's a tiny bit of momentum, but we have a tough task ahead of us in Adelaide against the Cats."

Tempers flared late in the game when Eagles youngster Reuben Ginbey collected Jack Macrae with a bump.

While Sam Darcy benefited from the 50m penalty and kicked a goal, Eagles player Jamaine Jones then cannoned into Adam Treloar as the Bulldogs onballer remonstrated with Ginbey.

The scuffle is certain to attract video scrutiny.

Treloar and fellow midfielder Tom Liberatore shone, while captain Marcus Bontempelli had a quieter influence than usual, but still kicked three goals and laid eight tackles.

Adam Treloar.
Adam Treloar had a major impact as the Bulldogs deepened the Eagles' woes. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

Macrae made a low-key but successful return after considerable discussion about his absence from the Bulldogs' line-up for the first two rounds.

Eagles star Jeremy McGovern again showed why he is one of the AFL's top defenders, racking up a game-high 11 marks.

Inside-50s were 51 apiece, but West Coast coach Adam Simpson bemoaned another poor game where his team was outmatched around the ground.

The Bulldogs had 421 disposals to West Coast's 309, a massive disparity.

"Obviously the scoreboard speaks for itself ... (it's) a fair concern. There are small wins there, but we need to get better at converting," Simpson said.

"Obviously we're in a build, it's going to take time and we look at some positives, but we have to be better than that.''

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