Luke Dahlhaus says that the experience of playing Adelaide at the MCG in last year’s finals series has the Western Bulldogs in the right frame of mind to take on West Coast in a sudden death final in Perth next Thursday night.
60,782 fans turned up to watch the Dogs narrowly fall to the Crows last season, and Dahlhaus told media at VU Whitten Oval that on the back of that experience, a hostile Domain Stadium holds no fears for his side.
“Last year was a massive occasion, you learn so much playing in front of a crowd like that with Adelaide at the MCG, that was just an amazing atmosphere,” Dahlhaus said.
“We just played in Pav’s last game and you sort of get used to it because it was like a finals atmosphere.”
The Eagles will go into Thursday week’s game as the form side of the competition, having won their last four matches, including wins over the Giants in Sydney, Hawthorn and the Crows at Adelaide Oval.
Asked about the Eagles’ late season surge, Dahlhaus joked that “‘it's a bit annoying,” but although the Bulldogs will face a formidable opponent, and on their home deck, he said that the Dogs will not be intimidated.
"We know they're a great team and they are the team that made the Grand Final last year, so they were always going to play well,” he said.
"It's going to be difficult going over there, but we think our team can hold up and beat them.”
Thursday night will be Dahlhaus’ second finals game in six seasons and the 24-year old is determined to make the most of his opportunity on the big stage.
“In my first four or five years we didn’t get to play in finals and now that I do, I cherish the moment and I want to do everything I can to get the win and prepare the best I can.”