Williamstown are preparing themselves for a tough battle against the Box Hill Hawks on Sunday, but Western Bulldogs Development Coach Peter German says his men are ready for the challenge.

The top of the table Hawks are the form side in the competition but a win to the Seagulls could see them equal Box Hill, Geelong and Casey Scorpions on eight wins apiece.

“They are playing to keep top spot and we are playing to get on level terms with them, so I think it could almost be one of the games of the year,” German said.

“Box Hill have snuck up on a lot of people this year, they are certainly the form club, with Hawthorn on top, the Box Hill side is on top and their development side is on top.

“They obviously have a healthy list and have good players to pick from and they are playing really good footy right from the top down.”

German said the Seagulls will need to be sharp around the ground if they plan to better the strong Box Hill side.

“We have a really tough game this week where we have to get everything, the contested ball, the defence and then the ball use right, because they can take advantage in all three areas if you don’t compete hard and be effective,” he said.

“We’ve just got to try to find weaknesses in their lineup and if we can expose them then we are half a chance.

“I am just confident that the players will be ready for the challenge.”

Williamstown’s defensive game will be vitally important in shutting down the Hawks’ ball movement and restricting their dominance from the clearances.

“We probably have to nullify them more than anything, that’s one of the key things when you play Box Hill, they move the ball so well and if you don’t stop them in that area then you have no hope,” he said.

“They can make you look silly at times with the way they can move the ball - we certainly have our hands full, we know that.”

The Box Hill Hawks head into the round 12 clash with the home ground advantage, with Williamstown facing the side at 2pm on Sunday at Box Hill City Oval.