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Posted: 2024-05-06 02:02:05

It is too early in the season to panic and make rash decisions according to Western Bulldogs president Kylie Watson-Wheeler, as pressure mounts on the team's performance and the tenure of its coach.

The Bulldogs sit 11th on the AFL ladder with three wins and five losses following a shock seven-point loss to the developing Hawthorn at Docklands Stadium on Sunday.

The club's CEO Ameet Bain told ABC Sport ahead of the Bulldogs win over St Kilda in round five that he views the club as a finals side and that the criticism of coach Luke Beveridge was particularly unfair.

Beveridge is contracted until the end of 2025.

Following the defeat to the Hawks, Beveridge said he was prepared for the heat to intensify on his position.

"We know that unless you're winning games of footy you're always vulnerable to media scrutiny," he told reporters.

"So we just expect it. I've got a thick skin, I can deal with it."

Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs leads Bulldogs players off the field

Pressure is mounting on the Western Bulldogs following their loss to Hawthorn.(AAP: Morgan Hancock)

Watson-Wheeler said while fans would be disappointed and frustrated with the results there is no cause for alarm.

"I think it's too early in the season for us to panic or for us to make rash decisions," Watson-Wheeler told ABC Radio Melbourne.

"But we're always coming together as a club and we're always discussing where we're at. Does the playing group have what they need? Are the right decisions being made?"

"This is not something that you just jump in on when you have a bad loss … these conversations are happening constantly and we're always assessing where we are at as a club."

Beveridge's relationship with his playing groups was questioned last week when Essendon ruckman Sam Draper claimed some players would seek to leave if Beveridge remained coach at the end of this season.

Watson-Wheeler said she sees a positive connection between Beveridge and the players.

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