HAWTHORN Assistant Coach Luke Beveridge says the performance of Western Bulldogs against Essnedon last week has served as a timely reminder of their talent.

The 15^th placed Bulldogs got within 12 points of the Bombers last Sunday at Etihad Stadium and very nearly pulled off an unlikely victory.

The performance came out of the blue for most media commentators, with the Bulldogs having been beaten by Melbourne in Round 14 and defeating the Giants by just four points in Round 15.

Beveridge says though, the performance serves as a timely reminder for the Hawks of the talent in the Western Bulldogs side - with the experience Adam Cooney and Ryan Griffen along with the talent of youngsters Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis.

“It’s a timely reminder of their capabilities, there’s probably games that you look at their performance and know they would have hoped for a bit more but against the Bombers, although they didn’t win, they were pretty impressive in certain areas,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“We know that that’s what they’re capable of so we’ve got to be ready for it.”

Part of that talent, Beveridge says lies in the midfield.

The Bulldogs are ranked second in the league for contested possessions and clearances and it’s little wonder why when examining the talent of its midfield depth.

Son of Bulldogs great Tony Liberatore, Tom is enjoying a breakout season in which he’s  ranked number one at his club for clearances, tackles and contested possessions.

It has been his progression as a player, combined with the talent and experience of senior players like Adam Cooney, Ryan Griffen and Robert Murphy combined with also the progression of Mitch Wallis that makes their midfield mix a dangerous prospect.

Beveridge says the coaches and players at Hawthorn are aware of the danger the Bulldogs pose if their players once again, fire.

“For a decent part of the year, their midfield and clearance work has been pretty good,” he said.

“At times, they’ve been challenged in front and behind the stoppage whereas it seemed to come together a bit more for them on Sunday.

“For them to play a pretty rounded game in defence, up forward and in the midfield, if they can get that balance right again against us, then we’re going to come up against a pretty formidable opponent.”

He says too, the fact the complexion of their forward line has changed a number of times this year provides its own challenge for the Hawks.

As the Club’s defensive coach, Beveridge has taken the time to examine the players that might roll through the Bulldogs’ forward line and is confident his crop of defenders can successfully adapt to any forward mix thrown at it.

“Their forward line, and the complexion of it, has probably changed and evolved over the course of the year,” he said.

“They had Dylan Addison up there last week, there’s (Daniel) Giansiracusa who has been the sub but played a full game, and they’ve brought in Jarrad Grant recently and had their midfielders going through there as well and now Tory Dickson.

“They’ve changed a fair bit.

“(But) our guys have done particularly well in being able to come together and gel with different personnel and that’s been really impressive.”