These Bulldogs can fetch - it's keeping hold of the ball that tests them.

To have any hope of a massive upset win over Essendon on Sunday at Etihad Stadium, the Western Bulldogs must improve their disposal while ramping up the pressure on the Bombers.

While Essendon will be without captain Jobe Watson (collarbone), they are third and will start near-unbackable favourites against the 15th-placed 'Dogs.

Two highlights for the Bulldogs this season have been ruckman Will Minson and Tom Liberatore.

The strong form of those two players underscores their team's ability to compete against the best at stoppages.

Minson leads the league in hit-outs while Liberatore has racked up the most clearances.

But once the Bulldogs gain that possession, too often they turn the ball over and are burnt on the rebound.

Midfield coach Steven King said the Bulldogs must take the game up to Essendon.

"Essendon use the ball really well, they're a high short-kicking team, a high uncontested mark team," King said.

"We're going to have to bring some real heat and pressure around the footy.

"On the back of that, we need to have the ability to score from some turnovers, which is an area of the game where we need to improve.

"If we come to compete and defend, we give ourselves a chance."

King, the former Geelong and St Kilda ruckman, is impressed with what Minson has produced in a year where he has spent less time up forward.

"I'm probably a bit biased, but in terms of raw numbers and data - hitouts to absolute advantage, clearances - Will would have to be right up there," King said.

"I hope everyone is taking as much notice as we are."

In only his third AFL season, Liberatore is also making the most of Minson's strong ruckwork.

"To do what he's doing at his age in the AFL, it's elite," King said.

"The way he backs up every week, he shoulders an enormous load for such a young player.

"Now he's starting to add other things to his game to make him an even more dangerous clearance player, which is really exciting."