Coach Luke Beveridge is confident Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan can thrive together when the Western Bulldogs embrace a massive litmus test against Geelong.
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Ugle-Hagan delivered a monster four-goal effort as the main forward in Saturday's win over second-placed Carlton.
Fellow key forward Naughton and midfielder Adam Treloar will return from concussion and calf tightness respectively at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
"It's a good problem to have," Beveridge said on Friday.
"Them working together, discussing things that have tied us up in knots in the past and we feel like we'll be able to coordinate more together in our forward line.
"It's always a challenge against the Cats because they defend really well, they've got some experience down there that play good drop-off games and get good density in their back half.
"Some of it will be tied to our ball use and the chances and opportunities we give our forwards from that and the work ethic that underpins it.
"After squandering some opportunities early last week but holding our nerve and then being able to come off the ground with a score line that we did against the Blues was really encouraging.
"It gives us some peace of mind going into this one that some of the things we did work and Aaron and Adam will add to that."
Beveridge urged his charges (10th, 9-8) to stand up against Geelong (third, 11-6), who have thrived since moving Tom Stewart into midfield and Sam De Koning into the ruck.
"Our track record so far against the teams in the top eight isn't extraordinarily good," Beveridge said.
"We've beaten some of them. We had an encouraging first half against the Swans and had some injuries in that game, which gives us some perspective on how we might be able to go against the best.
"Obviously Carlton are second, so that's a good indication that we can do that.
"If we can produce our best then no doubt we'll be right in there and whether that gives you status or not, that's up to you guys (the media), but we just look forward to putting our best foot forward."
The Carlton win was a massive response to a demoralising thrashing from Port Adelaide.
"Can you remember when you were a little boy and you woke up in a cold sweat at night after a nightmare?" Beveridge quipped.
"Someone had broken into the house or you'd seen a horror movie and it reproduced itself in your worst dream and you've come out of your bedroom and you've gone to school the next day and just thought 'how do I forget about that?'
"That's what I've been doing since the Adelaide game.
"But we're hoping that it was a bit of an anomaly ... but what I do know is we picked ourselves up (against Carlton).
"Now we go down the highway, we're at scratch again and we need to be inspired by some of the stuff that happened last week and what we're capable of and be challenged by what we're capable of, rather than be daunted by it."
Australian Associated Press
