Western Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge says his side will need to reduce the frequency of in-game lapses as they prepare to face Sydney at the SCG.

The Bulldogs endured a 53-point loss to the Swans last season, and will be keen to make amends and rectify that result when they do battle on Thursday night.

“They had a piece of us last year up there – we walked away with our pride between our legs. It’s a great opportunity for us to get back on some better terms,” Beveridge told media on Tuesday morning.

“I think Horse (John Longmire) said they’ve been in front so often at three-quarter time, and then in layman’s terms let the odd game slip.

“We know where their strengths lie – their blend of run through the midfield, and how dangerous they can be up forward.

“I think their position on the ladder sort of belies how competitive they’ve been. They’re still a very dangerous team.”

Outside of the Pies’ third-quarter blitz, the Bulldogs took it right up to the ladder-leaders in their two-goal loss last week.

Beveridge said it will be important to not let too much of a momentum shift happen against the Swans.

“There’s been a pattern of play and the game-style that we’re after, with just little lapses here and there which allow opposition teams some momentum,” Beveridge said.

“We were well on top – you can’t let any team in the competition (gain momentum), let alone Collingwood who will blow you away with their strengths. It was a frustration around a few things.

“It’s more just (having) an energy for the full 120 minutes that we’ve got to continue to pursue.

“There was a lot of positives. As I said after the game, the way our forward-line played – we had a lot of looks in the third quarter, even though that was their highest-scoring quarter.

“We produced a lot of really good opportunities that went begging. That’s been a bit of a pattern as well though, so we’ll go to work again on all of that this week.”

The Bulldogs will announce their round 18 team on Wednesday night.