Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says his young side will have to step up in the absence of influential captain Robert Murphy for Saturday's clash against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.

Murphy, who has played every game so far this season and been in career-best form, pulled up sore after the 87-point thrashing of Essendon, and Beveridge said the club takes a no-risk approach with its players.

"The writing was on the wall early in the week that he might have needed a week off," said Beveridge

"He is generally sore and we're trying not to take risks with any of our players, hence there's only three who have played every game.

"It won't do him any harm, he's toiled hard and his performances have been outstanding.

"He has been really influential, so it will be a challenge for our back end."

The Bulldogs will also be without half-back Jason Johannisen, who was withdrawn from the Bulldogs' selected side to play Port Adelaide with hamstring tightness.

Defender Joel Hamling will replace Johannisen in the line-up, with first-year utility Lukas Webb added to the list of emergencies in Hamling's place.

Beveridge indicated the Dogs are taking a week-to-week approach with versatile big man Jordan Roughead who is still recovering from a foot complaint that has seen him miss the past two matches.

Sitting in fifth spot, a win over the Power would continue to push the Bulldogs’ claims for a place in September and Beveridge reluctantly acknowledged a top four berth wasn't out of the realms of possibility for his young team.

"It's there, it's definitely there," joked Beveridge

"There's no doubt (there’s) a lot of teams in that area whose senses have been heightened by that opportunity."

"If we could get there it would be sensational, but if it means we don't quite get to where we need to be (then) we've just got to deal with that."