Midfield pressure will be critical in stalling Hawthorn’s run and attack on Sunday and Bulldogs clearance machine Tom Liberatore is ready for the challenge.

Well rested after the bye weekend, the 22-year-old said keeping last year’s premiers accountable will go a long way in limiting their influence.

“I think the key for us is making it an accountable game,” Liberatore said.

“I think we have shown throughout the year that when we play our best footy is making sure their disposal count is nice and low, making sure it’s one-on-one footy and basically just making a contest the whole day.

“[We want to be] giving us our best chance to get the four points.”

Hawthorn have kicked 33 more goals than any other side in 2014, as well as being second in uncontested possessions – looking most dangerous when given space to run.

In round 18 the Bulldogs held the league’s best outside ball winning side Essendon to 195 uncontested possessions - 57.6 less than their season average – and the aim will be to replicate that effort this weekend.

Ranked first in the league for tackles and equal second for clearances, Liberatore has been pivotal in the Bulldogs midfield this season but credits the support from his teammates.

Liberatore said the spread of talent rotating through the area and growing familiarity of the group is helping the midfield function at a high level.

“As a core group of the midfield we are just able to grow our depth and I suppose it’s more a thing of reliability,” he said.

“We are all comfortable now, and there’s no question of whether blokes come in or out or go forward there’s always that sense of comfort.

“That you know we will get the best out of what we have.”