WESTERN Bulldogs ruckman Ben Hudson will team up with Will Minson to try and out-muscle lone Essendon big man Paddy Ryder when the two sides meet this Friday night at Docklands.

The Bombers are down a key ruckman with David Hille out injured, and Ryder has carried the brunt of the big man work in his absence since Anzac Day.

With Hudson weighing in at 108kg and Minson 106kg compared to Ryder's 90kg, the Dogs' No.1 tall man said they would aim to tenderise the young Bomber before he could expose them for a lack of mobility.

"We'll probably just work to our strengths, Will and I, and try and out-body him," Hudson said on Tuesday.

"He's going to be pretty keen to run us around a bit.

“If we can use our strengths, we can do it, but they can try and take advantage of our lack of speed."

The Bombers' other ruck option, Tom Bellchambers, has been playing VFL but coach Matthew Knights has already signalled the side isn't looking to make many changes.

That would leave Essendon with Ryder and defender Cale Hooker, who has been pinch-hitting as a ruckman in recent weeks, as the two players to contest stoppages.

Hudson said he was comfortable with the knowledge the Dogs would have two true ruckmen in the side for Friday night's clash in comparison to the Bombers' situation.

"There is definitely a need for two ruckmen in any team," he said.

"Will and I are working pretty well together. Will has the advantage of being able to go forward, so that adds another string to our attacking bow."

Hudson, 30, said the emergence of mobile ruckmen such as Ryder had made him realise the need to alter his own game style if his AFL career was to continue much longer.

"The game is continually evolving, and with the question before about having two ruckmen, it's not going to get any slower," he said.

"I'll have to adapt and try to get fitter and faster to stay in the game."