Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis says the internal belief for what his side could achieve this season has been growing since round one.

Not many predicted the Dogs meteoric rise to the top eight, despite winning three out of their opening four matches, but Wallis said his side quickly understood that their best football was capable of something special.

“Belief came in pretty quickly in the first few rounds and the expectations of each other and the team and our results grew week by week.

“Belief and confidence… if we play our best footy I believe really strongly that we can beat anyone in the competition and Adelaide’s no different.

“They’re a good strong opposition but I think we can get the job done.”

The Dogs will battle the Crows in the second elimination final on Saturday night, in the Club’s first final since 2010.

Despite only eight players having finals experience (Shane Biggs, Matthew Boyd, Jarrad Grant, Will Minson, Dale Morris, Robert Murphy, Liam Picken and Easton Wood), Wallis is hopeful the Bulldogs game style will hold up in the high-pressure environment of finals football.

“I haven’t played a final yet but they say everyone grows a leg in finals and I’m hoping that our team does and it’s a great game.

“I’m expecting a big crowd, I’ve never played in front of 50-60,000 people which will be pretty exciting, hopefully we get some of those numbers on Saturday night.

“It’s going to be on from the start and it’s going to be a fierce contest, they’re a great side and they’ve got a great midfield and a few star players.

“It’s going to be intense but if we play the right way and the way we want to play then we’re going to get a great result.”

The Bulldogs will head to the MCG for only the third time this season, with a one-one win-loss record at the venue in 2015.

Despite the lack of opportunity on the ground throughout the season, Wallis said his side are primed for playing on football’s biggest stage.

“We’ve played at Etihad a lot and like the conditions, or lack of conditions, but you’ve got to be able to win at the MCG.

“We do get the home ground advantage that Adelaide have to travel so we’re looking forward to the challenge.

“It’s where finals footy should be played at the MCG at the home ground of footy, so we’re looking forward to it… I can’t wait for the opportunity.”