Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says Saturday's clash against Brisbane at the MCG is like a mini-final for his club.
Not only does the match pit together two of what appears to be seven legitimate contenders for the premiership this season but it is also a rare opportunity for the Bulldogs to play on the big stage ahead of the club's expected second finals appearance in three seasons this year.
The Dogs have enjoyed their best start to a season since 1946 - sitting in third place on the ladder at the halfway mark of the season with nine wins and a draw - but the Lions are not far behind in seventh spot with seven wins from 11 games.
And Saturday's clash at the MCG will be only the Bulldogs' second and last appearance at the AFL's premier venue before September.
"This is only our second time there for the year but the fact is we really enjoy playing there and our record there is pretty good," Eade said of the MCG.
"We are looking forward to it, we are playing another team in good form so I'd imagine there will be a reasonable crowd there for two teams that are probably going to play in the finals."
"So for us it's like a prelude for a finals game and we are really looking forward to it."
With so little separating the top seven sides on the ladder this season Eade said matches between those teams would be vital in deciding who finishes in the top four at the end of the season.
"For sure you need to beat those teams in and around the same position as yourself," he said on Wednesday.
"We are in the midst of a fairly solid block of games, including interstate travel which we have won all three, against teams who are around about us (on the ladder) so hopefully we can continue that."
The Bulldogs are set to be boosted for Saturday's clash by the return of key forward Robert Murphy from suspension while full-back Brian Lake is set to play despite bruising his knee in the win over St Kilda last Sunday.
"He had a bit of bruising there and a bit of pain from the knock but it has settled down pretty well today so he will play," Eade said of his top defender.
But veteran midfielder Scott West, who has been out since Round 6 with bone bruising to his knee, is unlikely to return until after the mid-season break even though he has finally resumed running again.