When the Western Bulldogs take on the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Thursday night, it will be their third game in 12 days.

But that’s no issue, according to senior coach Luke Beveridge, as his side continues to adapt to an AFL season like no other.

"It's a tight turnaround but I think the thing that's helped it is the shorter game time,” Beveridge told media at VU Whitten Oval today.

"We're essentially only playing three quarters of the old version as far as the time goes, so the players are coming through the games, they're physically pretty good.

"There's some (soreness) here and there because they're getting used to the games again but also with the boys who aren't playing because you (have to) come in and perform for the whole game and not be too fatigued at the end of it.

"But it's the tightest turnaround I think we've ever had - three games in that period of time - and then we've got a longer one where we can have some time off.”

Fresh from their first win of 2020, against the GWS Giants on Friday night, Beveridge acknowledged the need to sustain that same level of intensity against the Swans.

"If we take our eye off what we need to do at all then Sydney will get the better of us," he said.

"We've just got to remain on edge and respect the competition and that'll help us."

The Bulldogs will face that challenge without star midfielder Josh Dunkley, who Beveridge hoped could be back within a month.

Fellow midfielder Pat Lipinski is one player in the mix to fill that role after being left out against the Giants.

“Pat will be considered,” Beveridge said.

“We liked the way our method and our numbers game went last week with our mids. Now we’ve got to work out who plays those roles (without Josh). 

“He’s a very difficult player to replace. He’s such a team-focused worker… We’re going to miss him, but hopefully we get one or two step up.”