Senior coach Luke Beveridge is expecting a fierce contest when his side meets Sydney at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
While a win would see the Bulldogs reclaim top spot on the ladder, Beveridge said that won’t be their main focus.
“There’s a lot nipping at our heels – last night was one of those pivotal games where (the result) matters a lot with Port and Melbourne,” Beveridge told media on Friday morning.
“You can’t focus on the end result and outcomes – you’ve got to make sure that we’re taking care of the things that are going to help us play at our best.
“The peripheral things, as important as they are and especially the ladder position, will just take care of itself.”
Both sides will enter the clash off comfortable wins, with the Bulldogs overcoming North by 29 points, and the Swans recording a 92-point win over the Eagles away from home.
“(The Swans) have been impressive - they’ve got a really good blend and really good mix,” Beveridge said.
“John (Longmire) and all his crew have got them playing a really exciting brand. They’ll be a very challenging opponent – but we’re finding that every week.
“We thought North Melbourne had made some leaps and bounds from the last time we played them - as much as we played well earlier in the year against them, they really challenged us on the weekend.
“After (Sydney’s) big margin down at the Cattery, they’ll be full of beans and confidence so we’re expecting them to come out and try and put us on the back foot.”
Sunday’s match will also be Beveridge’s 150th at the helm.
The Bulldogs will confirm their team of 22 plus four emergencies tonight at 5pm.
