The statistics would appear to be closing in on the rebuilding Western Bulldogs.

But coach Brendan McCartney says despite just two wins in nearly a year, there are signs the progression he is hoping for will become more consistent.

Their record of just two victories in their past 21 AFL matches looks awful.

And after being in a winning position, their good work for three quarters went begging as they were obliterated late by North Melbourne in a 54-point loss at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

But as McCartney points out, they haven’t played a club in a similar rebuilding mode since they beat Port Adelaide in round 12 last season.

So as another of those clubs looms next weekend in Gold Coast, it appears mission critical for the Bulldogs to build on a decent performance against North in a match the scoreline didn’t do them justice.

“When you talk about wins, there’s a group of clubs (in a rebuilding phase) and everyone knows we’re one of them, and we haven’t played any of those clubs since the middle of last year,” McCartney said.

“Along the way we’ve met some pretty strong clubs who are in the eight, or near the top.”

McCartney’s theory is that progression is hard to achieve in every player every week when you have a rebuilding side.

“It’d be great if they came along at the same speed, but they don’t,” McCartney said.

“In regard to progression, some of our young guys play well for a few weeks, then have a quiet one today … once players mature and get experience, they tend to have less games when they don’t play well.”

Among the brightest spots for the Dogs has been the strong form of experienced recruit Nick Lower, who added to his list of run-with scalps this season by blanketing Kangaroos skipper Andrew Swallow.

Not only did ex-Docker Lower shut down Swallow, he had 15 tackles and 15 touches to be influential in his own right.

He will need to be on his game against next week as a showdown with Gary Ablett looms, but is confident long-term the Dogs are on the right track under McCartney

“I think people saw an insight into what we are capable of when we play at our best, and hopefully we bring that into next week,” Lower said.