WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge believes his side took significant steps forward in 2026 despite their premiership hopes ending in a 22-point defeat to Adelaide on Saturday night.

Speaking post-match, an optimistic Beveridge reflected on a season that showed plenty of promise before injuries took their toll, only for the Bulldogs to recover and finish strongly.

"We've made some progress, we really have,” Beveridge said.

"Our players have surprised us at times, whether it's younger guys in their second or third year or a handful of guys who haven't played a lot of footy.

CROWS v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats

"I'd assess it (the season) as promising for the future, but ultimately tonight we're disappointed because we played well enough to be right in it and Adelaide got the win.

"I've just spoken to everyone in the room, including a whole mass of parents, close friends, relatives and all our staff who have just done an enormous job of supporting the playing group. They're all really proud of the players and the way they've stuck together and their connection as teammates - they're great people.

"When we all sit down in the cold light of day and reflect or refocus and look at the future, as long as we all want to achieve something together, that's all that matters to me and to our people.

"We're not here to make up the numbers, we want to win the comp, so our reflection will relate to how we can continue to push towards being the best team in the comp."

The Bulldogs put the Adelaide defence under pressure at times throughout the match, particularly in the first term when they managed 19 inside-50s.

"The differential in the inside-50s was significant, but out of all those points in the first quarter, a handful of them were rushed and we hit the post a bit, so we left a bit out there," Beveridge said.

"Ultimately Adelaide won and they deserved the victory. There is some brilliance in their side and they can capitalise on some half chances. 

"Their key forwards, I thought our key backs did an enormous job throughout the course of the night, but when they do get their chances they very rarely miss their set-shots."

The Bulldogs smashed the Crows at centre clearances (17-7), but were found lacking ahead of the ball. 

"We unfortunately lacked a bit of polish and couldn't convert or complete some prime opportunities at different times,” Beveridge said.

"It’s a shame, the boys did enough, persevered and came again in the last quarter and unfortunately just couldn't maintain it.

"There's great spirit within the group and I believe the boys have come a long way. It's a good platform for the future."

The Bulldogs were forced to shuffle the deckchairs pre-game after defender Michael Sellwood was ruled out with a concussion after being hit in the head by a stray football during the warm up.

"He couldn't get to the line, he was assessed as being concussed and we had to make a late change," Beveridge said.

"We had Luke Cleary there, but essentially we picked eight backs with Connor Budarick in the team so we decided that we'd need a bit more run in our front half and through our midfield, so we put Lachie McNeil in.

"It unsettles you briefly but ultimately we were fine. Lachie is a capable player and we just moved some things around throughout the course of the night.

"Michael will be okay, but if there was a game next week he wouldn't have played."