Senior coach Luke Beveridge says Friday night’s clash against the 14th-placed Hawthorn will be a great challenge, but one his side is ready for.
Beveridge said he had been impressed by the Hawks’ efforts in recent weeks and is expecting them to come out firing.
“They’ve probably only dropped their guard a couple of times – they’ve been impressive with some of the teams they’ve beaten higher up on the ladder,” Beveridge told reporters on Wednesday.
“They play on quite quickly through some of their key personnel who transition the ball, and will catch up if you’re not on point with your intensity.
“Maybe like us in recent times, they’ve had some challenges with some of their lads going in and out of the side, but they ‘ve been pretty impressive against Fremantle and Collingwood – I think they beat Brisbane and Geelong too so it’s a bit like last week against the Giants.
“Both teams play a really attacking brand of footy where they’re going to take you on, so we’ve got to be prepared for that.”
Beveridge isn’t shying away from his side’s run home eiter, despite external commentary claiming the Bulldogs’ final eight games are some of the toughest in the competition.
“The ladder paints a certain picture of the season so far - I think everyone is saying beyond this game, we’ve got a stretch of games playing against teams above us which is a fact,” he said.
“(In saying that), Adelaide beat us by a point. There’s been other teams that everyone expected us to beat too, but you’re either good enough or you ain’t.
“We believe our best is going to challenge – we’re setting ourselves up each week to be a formidable opponent.
“(Friday) is a big challenge against a team I know believe they have a lot more to give and achieve this year. It’s going to be a really good contest.”
The Bulldogs currently sit four points outside the top eight in 10th spot on the ladder, having beaten GWS by 20 points last weekend.
They will confirm their round 15 team tomorrow night at 6.20pm.
