Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says his AFL side is misunderstood.

After edging Adelaide by eight points in atrocious conditions on Sunday night, Eade rubbished his club's image as freewheeling attack Dogs.

The Bulldogs prevailed 8.13 (61) to 7.11 (53) in driving rain at AAMI Stadium which allowed just four second half goals between the clubs.

The Dogs led by one point at three quarter-time, before emerging forward Jarrad Grant kicked the only goal of the final term to seal the result.

The victory affords Western Bulldogs precious breathing space in fourth spot, now a win clear of fifth-placed Fremantle.

And Eade's men could possibly snare second spot with victory over Geelong next Saturday - a clash for which four frontline Dogs will return.

"Other results fell our way a bit on the weekend and we needed to capitalise on that," Eade said after the Bulldogs snuffed out Adelaide's outside finals hopes.

Eade said the win came despite a virus "epidemic" spreading through his player ranks.

Robert Murphy and Shaun Higgins were late withdrawals due to the virus, while Lindsay Gilbee, Brodie Moles and Dale Morris all played ill.

"They showed a lot of courage to not only play, but to play well and contribute so that was pleasing," Eade said.

The gruelling triumph rewarded unrelenting hardness at numerous stoppages and slips in the wet, evidence the Dogs have mongrel as well as their renowned heavy scoring panache.

Eade took aim at the theory his side was an attacking machine with suspect hardness in harsh conditions.

"I defend our group, for three years now we are the number one contested ball, hard ball gets, differential side in the competition," Eade said.

"And that is why we didn't mind it in the wet.

"I think because we can score goals quickly and we tend to run, people tend to think that is the basis of our game.

"The basis of our game is underpinned by our hardness and our willingness to get in first ... don't underestimate that." Onballers Matthew Boyd (22 disposals) and Daniel Cross (25 touches) personified that approach against the Crows, who remain in 11th spot and will miss the finals for the first time since 2004.

Eade expects Murphy, Higgins, Jared Harbrow and Callan Ward to return for their season-shaping showdown with Geelong next Saturday.

Crows coach Neil Craig was left in no doubt the Bulldogs were premiership contenders.

"They will certainly finish in the top four, and the way it's panning out, a grand finalist maybe," Craig said of the Dogs.

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