The Dogs are yet to win a match from the summer series, having lost to Essendon in the NAB Cup and St Kilda and the Sydney Swans in subsequent NAB Challenge games.
With a hard training block finally behind them and a host of experienced players back in the side after overcoming injuries, the 32-year-old believes the Dogs will find their feet.
"I know the pre-season has had its frustrations because we haven't been winning and we've had players out," he told afl.com.au.
"But this week isn't like that and I have no doubt it will start to come together and results will take care of themselves.
"We need to start now. It would be nice to get a victory to go into round one."
Akermanis's pre-season hit its own hurdle in early February when he strained a calf muscle that was initially expected to sideline him for six weeks.
He ended up missing just the NAB Cup loss to Essendon before going on to face both the Saints and the Swans.
"It was the best thing for me because I got really focussed and worked on all the things I needed to work on, and I came back with a much better resolve," he said.
The Brownlow Medallist said the layoff has not hindered his fitness ahead of the season proper, and believes he's actually in better shape than he was pre-injury.
"It hasn't affected me at all," he said.
"I was frustrated because I couldn't play a great deal of time against St Kilda but last week, I played a lot of time in the midfield and that was important.
"I looked dangerous and I did some good things in the midfield. I've always got things to improve on but it was a good step forward.
"My fitness hadn't dropped off; if anything, it got better, and I got my diet right and my body right and now I'm good."
The Bulldogs will field a strong side against the Demons on Saturday, with Tom Williams coming in for his first game for the year and Adam Cooney and Robert Murphy set to rack up more game time post-injury.
Dream Team watch - Jason Akermanis is rated a $361,800 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
The Bulldogs' squad for Saturday's NAB Challenge match versus Melbourne at Casey Fields:
Robert Murphy
Andrejs Everitt
Daniel Cross
Matthew Boyd
Brad Johnson
Shaun Higgins
Mitch Hahn
Lindsay Gilbee
Nathan Eagleton
Tom Williams
Daniel Giansiracusa
Callan Ward
Ben Hudson
Ryan Griffen
Adam Cooney
Josh Hill
Jason Akermanis
Dylan Addison
Ryan Hargrave
Will Minson
Scott Welsh
Tim Callan
Stephen Tiller
Brian Lake
Dale Morris
Jarrod Harbrow
