“Never been done”: The remarkable stat that highlights the measly Dogs’ defence

The Western Bulldogs have become one of the very best defensive units in the AFL.

While the Bulldogs have been scoring freely with the league’s fourth highest for score under their belt, they have improved their defensive profile markedly in recent weeks.

After 21 rounds of footy, Luke Beveridge’s Dogs own the third best defensive record on the back of a remarkable three-week stretch where they have conceded just 155 points total at an average of 51.6 - Geelong 48, Sydney 48 and Melbourne 59.

David King loves the Dogs’ midfield and forward line, but reserved special praise for the defensive makeup of the Dogs due to the presence of forward/ruck-turned-defender Rory Lobb alongside Liam Jones and Buku Khamis.

“Right now, they might have the best midfield, the best forward line and the best back six,” King said on SEN Mornings.

Sam Edmund immediately interjected: “The best back six?

“The same back six that we have smashed for years and years?”

King added: “What do you want them to be?”

Edmund said: “So this is Buku, Jones and Lobb underpinning that back six?”

King continued: “I understand what you’re going to say individually, but as a group…

“What are you asking them to do?”

King provided a very intriguing stat that highlights just how well the Doggies have been operating as a defensive team of late.

The Cats scored only 19 points from turnover, the Swans 24 and the Demons just 13, which tallies to 56 points conceded by the Dogs from that source - a number never seen over a three-week spell.

Lobb has been central to that and it proves that by making such a move Beveridge has been in terrific coaching form, particularly across the last month or so.

“So the last three weeks as a team in three games of football, they've coughed up only 56 points in total from turnover,” he added.

“Less than 20 points a game each. That's never been done in a three-game stretch, and it's been against good opposition.

“If you're assessing this group on what they can deliver, since Rory Lobb's gone back, he's the third most effective interceptor in the game, and it's had a massive impact on those around him.

“Buku just has to play on the third option now, not the second best or the big body or the big frame.

“They're running rampant and their midfield are putting pressure on to enable them to defend.

“So I think you have to look at the body of work and what they're doing and say he (Beveridge) has coached his socks off this year.”

The high-flying Bulldogs, who currently sit seventh on the ladder, will look to make it five wins on the trot when they meet the Crows in Adelaide on Sunday evening.