WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says his side is ready to take on the Hawks at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

The Bulldogs are undefeated after two rounds – and sitting on top of the table – after big wins against Fremantle (65 points) and St Kilda (57 points).

Beveridge, a former assistant coach at the Hawks, said the Bulldogs would approach the contest with anticipation.

"We couldn't have started off (the season) any better to prepare," he said.

“They've had some changes in personnel since last year and they're going through their own challenges but they're still a great team. They've been the benchmark for a long time."

The Bulldogs – finalists in 2015 – have been the competition’s form side in the first two rounds, playing an attacking, fast-paced brand of football that has won plenty of admirers.

Not only are they scoring heavily – averaging 98 points per game – they also restricted the Dockers and Saints to less than 40 points respectively.

Players to watch 

Running defender Jason Johannisen has arguably been the best of the Bulldogs so far.

Averaging 31 disposals and more than eight marks per game – plus rebounding from the defensive 50 and driving the Bulldogs into attack – Johannisen has been a crucial component of the Dogs’ success.

But he hasn’t been without support – skipper Robert Murphy, Shane Biggs and Matthew Boyd have found plenty of the ball down back, as have Lachie Hunter, Jack Macrae and Tom Liberatore through the middle.

Not to mention the dangerous Jake Stringer, who leads the Dogs’ goal-kicking tally with seven majors.

Potential changes 

It’s almost a full list the Dogs have to choose from.

Sharp-shooter Tory Dickson – who kicked 50 goals in 2015 – is the only major out, as he recovers from a quad injury.

Midfielders Bailey Dale (25 disposals, seven goals) and Lin Jong (23 disposals), and ruckman Tom Campbell (21 disposals, four goals) put their hands up for senior selection with strong showings in a 141-point VFL practice match win, but the Dogs have few reasons to make changes to their senior side.