The Luke Beveridge-coached club crashed to a 36-point defeat against Geelong on Friday, leaving it adrift of the top eight on percentage.

At present, Melbourne and GWS Giants are between the Bulldogs and a finals berth.

The Bulldogs play flag favourite West Coast on Sunday, before tackling Hawthorn and Fremantle before the season is out.

Greater Western Sydney's run home - Carlton, Adelaide, Melbourne and St Kilda - has several winnable games.

Melbourne's - which includes Sydney, Fremantle, GWS and Essendon - is also interesting.

The fact both rivals have a game in hand might just afford them the advantage over Beveridge's side.

Early season losses against the likes of St Kilda and Carlton may be the straw that breaks the Dogs' back.

It hasn't dented belief in the camp, though. Beveridge said the loss to Geelong - in which both Laitham Vandermeer and Easton Wood suffered hamstring injuries - created belief.

"(Geelong's) been quite sensational at times this year, so I'm really proud of the boys that we really made them fight.

"It'll do us the world of good to know we can get that close with two down."

The Bulldogs are still a mathematical chance but will need other results to fall their way if they are to play finals.

The talent is there, but the question will be if other results fall their way. Only time will tell.

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