The Western Bulldogs have a chance to strengthen their grip on an AFL finals berth against Essendon on Sunday and Luke Beveridge admits there is a palpable sense of excitement at his club.

Beveridge named an unchanged line-up for the first time this season ahead of the clash, with the coach keen to reward the same 22 that ground out an impressive win against Collingwood.

High-priced recruit Tom Boyd will play another game in the VFL, but Beveridge said that he was close to breaking back into the AFL side and will come in for strong consideration next week.