WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge concedes he was left mystified after a score review into Sam Lloyd's shot at goal in the second quarter of Friday night's game against Collingwood was adjudged a behind.

The speedy score review determined Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton got his hands on the footy before the whole ball had crossed the goal line, thus registering a minor score.

But Beveridge said the replays showed otherwise.

DOGS FALL SHORT Full match coverage and stats

"It was a goal. It was a goal. I think it was Aaron Naughton's hands on it wasn't it?" Beveridge said.

"I don't know why that was a point. I know the umpire called it touched, but when it's reviewed and it's a goal - they haven't got the previous frame - I'm not sure why that's not a goal.

"That's not why we lost the game, but that's a head scratcher."

Asked again whether he thought all of the ball had successfully crossed the line, Beveridge was adamant it had.

"It did to me. You do train your eyes on it when it comes up (on replay) and it did look like a goal."

The Bulldogs went into the clash against the Pies with a plan to keep the ball out of Collingwood's hands and adopt slow and methodical build-ups going into attack to maximise scoring opportunities.

But Beveridge said it was "extremely disappointing" his side could not capitalise on their chances, as the Magpies' key players eventually swung the momentum of the game in their favour in the final term to run out 14-point winnners.

One of those players was Brodie Grundy, who monstered young big man Tim English in hit-outs (60-6) and was influential as the Magpies took control of the contest in the final term.

Beveridge said the Bulldogs would persist with English as the major big man in the ruck to aid his long-term development.

"Tim's a young ruckman and it's going to take him some time to have the influence that we believe he can have, and Josh (Schache) isn't a ruckman but he needs to help occasionally," Beveridge said.

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"It's going to be an ongoing challenge for us until Tim puts on more weight and is more seasoned as a ruckman, and we felt like in general play he was doing a pretty good job – he was matching wits with the opposition.

"It was just late and it was centre bounce stuff as well, and they just edged over the top of ours unfortunately."

A possible option to insert into the ruck is Tom Boyd, but Beveridge said the premiership big man was a "fair way off" from being ready for senior football.

Boyd returned via the VFL on Friday afternoon after a long-term back injury hampered his pre-season.

"I saw the first half before I came over and he's a long way off, Tom," Beveridge said.

"He'll be a fair way away I'd say."

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Beveridge was a big rap for Hayden Crozier's JLT Mark of the Year contender.

"That was a fair Dundee wasn't it? Hopefully wins a car. There's been a few good ones taken, I'd be keener to win the game than the car, but it was a good mark."

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