Western Bulldogs wary of North Melbourne challenge following Richmond’s shock win

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is well aware of the North Melbourne challenge despite many believing the latter to be among the bottom four of the competition.

Following Richmond's Thursday night 13-point shock victory over Carlton at the MCG, all clubs are now on alert of the rebuilding sides, and the Bulldogs are ripe for the picking.

The Kangaroos have finished bottom five in the past five campaigns, but have welcomed a trifecta of experience and will be hoping to improve on their previous efforts.

With an injury list as extensive as its ever been, headed by superstar Marcus Bontempelli, the time for North Melbourne to strike is Saturday evening at Marvel Stadium.

Due to some of their best players sidelined through injury, Beveridge has called upon a host of his youthful brigade, giving debutants Sam Davidson and Josh Dolan their first crack at AFL football.

"Both teams are similar this week, with our experience out... They've actually, on average, got 15 more games played in their team than we have," Beveridge quipped.

"The thing is, as you evolve into the future, and young players get their opportunities, it starts to skew it the other way. And the week-to-week proposition changes."

Despite a wholesale change to the Bulldogs' preferred line-up, Beveridge remained confident in the 23 that will take to the field.

The Footscray club will look to fill the void left by some of their regulars, but ultimately will persist with the same system.

From the pre-season clash in Launceston against Hawthorn, the Bulldogs will welcome back some much-needed experience, with Ed Richards, Bailey Dale, Rhylee West and Arthur Jones taking their place in the side.

"I think the team is strengthened a fraction (from the Hawks hit-out)," Beveridge added.

"We'll look to double down on things we did well and understand, like what happened last night, that teams can get a leg up in a change in intensity and a refocus.

"So, we'll need to be aware that the Kangaroos really improved in the back-end of last year and we anticipate that they'll improve again."

Key forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan's future was probed again by reporters on Friday, which Beveridge admitted it remains in a "grey area".

The 2016 premiership coach refused to put a timeline or set of parameters for Ugle-Hagan's return, and what is required to be available for selection.

"We've expressed there's a number of resources looking after him from our club or the AFL," Beveridge said.

"We've tried to normalise your (media) thinking around the flexibility of whether he's here or not.

"There's a big chance he won't (be at the club all the time). We're trying to make sure everyone understands that."

Beveridge enters 2025 in the final year of his contract, but remains "comfortable" with letting the season play out.

The 54-year-old has coached 229 games for 129 victories since 2015, including the drought-breaking premiership in 2016.