Will Minson said early momentum will be key to gaining the upper hand over the Adelaide Crows at AAMI Stadium today.

Dictating terms from the first bounce will go a long way to securing the Western Bulldogs second win for season 2013, Minson said.

“In all three games so far the first ten minutes of each game has ultimately had a big outcome of the result – obviously our first ten minutes against Brisbane helped us to win the game,” Minson said.

“Fremantle’s first ten minutes helped them to win the game and Richmond really set the tone [early last week].

“This week it’s important that, first and foremost, we don’t let any opposition do that again and secondly, [we] try to do it ourselves.”

Minson attributes a lack of intensity to last weekend’s 67-point loss to Richmond and said much of Sunday’s game would revolve around how each team sets up around the stoppages.

“We need to improve on last week and get back to winning our own ball and being hard to play against and that will go a long way to beating the Crows,” he said.

“They’ve got a very mature but very talented, experienced midfield and it will be a good challenge for us to get our hands on the ball first - but if we stick to what we are good at then we should be able to achieve that.

“We are always confident that we can beat each opposition each week - if we play the way we intend to play, then we are confident that our game style will get us a victory.”

The pairing of Minson with Tom Liberatore through the middle in recent weeks has proven to be a damaging combination, while the 28-year-old ruckman is also buoyed by the return of captain Matthew Boyd.

“It’s great to have Libba on the field, he’s a great young [player] and he’s making progress each week,” he said.

“We’ve got a good relationship and I enjoy playing footy with him and I think that is what we are seeing on the field at the moment.

“I obviously welcome Boydy back into the side as he is a great footballer and can’t wait to have him back out on the park.”

While there were a number of forced changes to the Bulldogs lineup heading into the round four clash, Minson said it also brings a number of opportunities for young talent to enter the side and show their worth.

“It’s a shame that we have suffered the injuries that we have, but that is part of football and the opportunity arises now for a couple of young guys to get a game and it is always fun to play with new players and new kids,” he said.

“I have played with all the guys that are up for selection this week through the NAB Cup and in the pre-season and... I really look forward to seeing them out on the field.”