Eade said the Swans’ in-close work, which brought the Dogs undone when they met in round 21, would need to be matched if his side was a chance to progress through to a preliminary final for the third straight year.
“Everyone knows the game they play. They’ve obviously added some speed to their side and they are a very good contested ball and stoppage side,” he said.
“They have more stoppages than any other team in the competition.
“Last game we weren’t able to match them in that area and four or five times before that we were.
“We’ve got to be able to bring that intensity around the ball and if we do that, it gives us a chance of winning.”
This week, the Dogs have not revisited the process they took in the past two seasons when they faced sudden-death semi-finals after losing in the first week.
He said it was more about rebuilding his players’ self belief rather than the “solid reinforcement” they received after their 2008 qualifying final loss to Hawthorn and last year’s loss to Geelong.
“We’ve got to try and get the confidence levels back so we’ve done some things differently to get them back on the bike, to get them to play the way we know we can play,” Eade said.
He said the players’ kicking efficiency - which was below par against Collingwood - should improve this week if they rediscovered their tenacity.
“You don’t lose your ability in a week,” he said.
“It’s a matter of confidence. It’s a mental issue. It’s underpinned by the way you go about other things, like your intensity and work rate.
“If you work hard enough and you’re on mentally, skills will follow from that.”
Eade said it was important to generate as one-sided a crowd as possible given the Swans’ travelling status.
“Our supporters can’t underestimate their passion and influence on the game,” he said.
“Especially playing an interstate side, we’ve got to make the ground like the Swans do at the SCG.
“We’re certainly pleading to all the supporters to get along to the game and make a sea of red, white and blue. It would be great for us.”
He also said the Dogs would prepare for Daniel Bradshaw to return from a knee injury.
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