“We match up in some areas of the game really well statistically against them and the challenge is to replicate that,” McCartney said today.
“There’s some other areas of the game that they have become really strong at.”
“You get caught up in playing a strong club, you do your head in before you start and we are not going to do that.”
The Swans elite midfield division is recognised league-wide as an imposing unit and McCartney said the Bulldogs will ensure the ball is hotly contested through the centre.
The two sides thrive on winning the contested ball, ranking first and second in the league, while both also rate top three in clearances.
“It will be a good test, but most games that is where the game is controlled, it is generally controlled from the contest and then your ability to attack or defend from there,” he said.
“I think it will be a good game of footy, the challenge for us is going to be able to hang in there and persist because there will be patches on Sunday that test us a bit.
“We are optimistic about what we can do and want to play to our strengths and not worry too much about what their strengths are.”
Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday afternoon's match with the Swans, McCartney said he had the utmost respect for the brand of football they play and the culture they had developed at their club.
“There’s a lot to like about the club we are playing on the weekend – they play the game the right way,” he said.
“They do things the right way, they are a really good footy club and should be congratulated on what they have done for a longtime.”
