Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade believes his side is right in the mix for the premiership after they comprehensively dismantled North Melbourne in a 71-point demolition at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
The Bulldogs were a class above the young Roos and, after a competitive first half, had too much firepower, kicking 13 goals to four in the second half to clinch the win and consolidate fourth spot.
Spearhead Barry Hall bagged seven goals while Daniel Giansiracusa (five) and Ryan Griffen (three) contributed to a potent attack that boasted 10 individual goal kickers.
Eade was rapt with the win and looked forward to September with a steely resolve when asked where the Bulldogs were at in the premiership race.
"Fourth," Eade joked.
"I'm not looking that far ahead, you could say we're favourites or we're fourth favourite or fifth favourites, it doesn't matter," he said.
"It only matters when September comes and you need to play well. We think we're in the mix and can compete with any team."
"We think we're playing well. The last seven games have been good, we're building some confidence and some momentum and things that we were just a little bit off earlier in the year we're starting to get right."
The Bulldogs did all the damage in the second half but although the margin looked impressive, an animated Eade was less than impressed with his charges at quarter- and half-time.
"Even though we had 18 tackles at quarter-time I thought our defensive work off the ball was very poor."
"We didn't man them up quickly enough, we didn't spread from the contest when they started to handball," he said.
Eade accredited this to the Kangaroos' pressure in the first half, which he labeled as "first class" but said there were a number of worrying early signs from his players.
"They just needed a wake up call that that's not acceptable, the way we play."
On Hall's fine game - a far cry from the sight of opponent Scott Thompson in a headlock the last time the two sides met - Eade was full of praise.
Hall managed seven goals but it was his assist work and selflessness that the coach most admired.
"It's not just goals kicked, it's goals assists as well and he's above our highest tally for last season already (goals and score assists combined)."
"He's very team orientated, that's why we brought him into the side."
Eade also said the late withdraw of Jarrod Harbrow (virus), who was replaced in the side by Andrejs Everitt, was not a major concern and he should be right to play next week.