WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge hopes complacency did not creep into the mindset of his side after it went down to Gold Coast by five points at Marvel Stadium.

The Bulldogs looked flat-footed early in the contest, conceding the first four goals of the match and six goals to two in the first quarter of Sunday's game.

Beveridge admits he had to ask his team whether they had got ahead of themselves after an unbeaten start to the year in the first two rounds.

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"It's a reasonable conclusion to jump to that that (complacency) might have crept in. We just had a discussion about it," Beveridge said in his post-game press conference.

"I think we've just got to give Gold Coast credit for the way they jumped to it and there was no doubt that we had a handful of lads not playing their best footy in the first quarter and it took us some time to get our composure back.

"You hope that it's not complacency, we're not in a position to be a complacent team. We're trying to re-establish ourselves as a good team.

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"We've only got five days to shrug it off and shape up for a game against Collingwood, which isn't a bad thing that short turnaround."

The Bulldogs' forward-half efficiency was another element that was well off, with Beveridge's side kicking 9.14 despite dominating the inside 50 count (66-48).

Beveridge said it was frustrating that his side could not make the most of their scoring chances.

"Week to week it's always going to be that way. I felt like their defenders played really well… they provided good aerial support for their teammates," Beveridge said.

"When we started to challenge that a little bit by using the ball, using angles a little more and being more measured we did create opportunities, but we didn't finish them off.

"There's some frustration there, but you've got to acknowledge their good play as well."

The Bulldogs could get star defender Jason Johannisen back for Friday night's match against Collingwood at the MCG, following a pre-season ankle injury.

"He has missed some footy but he's a big chance to come straight back in, we've done that before with him," Beveridge said.

WATCH Luke Beveridge's full post-match press conference

But ruckman/forward Tom Boyd will have to come back through the VFL when he makes his return next week after a long-term back injury.

"Tom's missed a lot of footy so he'd have to get his match fitness up," Beveridge said.

Roarke Smith booted four goals in the VFL and is sure to come under consideration for selection, while Bailey Williams was strong in defence with 19 disposals and seven marks.