WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade believes his players' recent finals experience will leave them in good stead when they take on St Kilda in a preliminary final this Friday night.

The Dogs have made the finals twice from the past three seasons, and last year made it to the third week where they bowed out to Geelong. 

Eade says he expects his players to be composed and ready for Friday night's MCG encounter owing to the fact they've been there before.

"Teams that perform well in finals have been there before," he said. "They've gained experience, and there's nothing that beats experience in this game.

"Finals experience does help. We had a little taste in 2006, and more of a taste last year, and the group is maturing and will be able to take that on board.

"For teams to have a crack at a premiership, they need to be knocking on the door consistently, and certainly, we're starting to do that."

Eade said the Dogs would need to win the contested ball against the Saints, who have beaten his side twice – in rounds six and 17 – this year.

When the Bulldogs played the Saints in round six they only managed 100 contested possessions but they lifted that to 115 contested possessions in round 17.

"We certainly known some areas we need to improve on, and I suppose that's a good thing," Eade said.

"They've proven themselves to be the best team this year, but I think the last five weeks have given the players a lot of confidence."

Eade said it was impossible to deduce which of the two sides, which normally call Etihad Stadium home, would be better suited to the open space of the MCG.

"We draw too much into the size and dimensions of grounds," he said. "It's just a matter of being able to win the footy. If you can win the ball, it gives you a good chance of winning."

He also said he didn't feel as though the Saints had more to play for, given the expectation their almost-unbeaten season had created.

"I've got no doubt we'll go in underdogs, but I think it should be 50-50," he said.

"Both teams have got an equal amount to lose. It's a grand final berth up for grabs – it's the same for all four teams.

"It's equal footing, it's a do-or-die situation, and we've given ourselves a chance and we certainly deserve to be there. There's as much pressure on us as there is on them."