Vice-captain Jack Macrae is hopeful the Western Bulldogs can continue building on the momentum they’ve generated across the last few weeks in the back-end of the 2023 season.

Macrae admits the Dogs’ year has been a bit of a see-sawing campaign thus far, but is excited for the challenge of facing ladder-leaders Collingwood on Friday night.

“(Our season) has probably been a bit up and down. Every chance we’ve tried to show that we’re capable of playing that top-four footy, we’ve taken a wrong step,” he told SEN Breakfast on Wednesday.

“Hopefully we can build on this momentum – there’s no better challenge than one of the best teams in the comp on Friday. 

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“You can see how even the competition this year is. It’s going to be a big race in the last eight weeks to see who will finish in the top four and top eight.

“Every week is crucial. It’s going to be a great game.”

Macrae said he’s enjoying the change-up in his playing role this season, which is seeing him average 27 disposals, five tackles and four clearances.

“It’s probably been an evolution of my game and the team. We’ve obviously got a lot of midfielders in there, so I’m just trying to add more strings to my bow and hopefully help the team in different ways,” he said.

“I’m probably playing forward but coming up as a midfielder anyway a lot of the time. I’ve enjoyed a different look at it.

“Hopefully I can try and kick a few more goals and be more of a scoring-assist player as well, forward of centre. It’s been a good change-up.”

The Western Bulldogs will host Collingwood at 7.50pm this Friday night at Marvel Stadium.