THE WESTERN Bulldogs can expect an early physical onslaught from a "filthy and grumpy" Hawthorn side on the rebound in Friday night's semi-final, according to Cameron Ling.
The Cats premiership captain has witnessed the might of the Hawks as a player and as a commentator since his retirement in 2011, and believes the reigning premiers will be seething after their qualifying final loss to Geelong.
He points to the Hawks' response to losing last year's qualifying final against West Coast, where the following week they crushed an overwhelmed Adelaide to the tune of 74 points on their way to a third-straight premiership.
"When Hawthorn are filthy and grumpy they are very good and I reckon they'll be trying to capture that against the Bulldogs," Ling toldAFL.com.au.
"So often we've seen in big games and big moments they have tried to intimidate their opposition through physicality and a fierce attack on the footy.
"I can picture that big tackle on Dan Hannebery in the 2014 Grand Final.
"They try it early on, especially against younger teams like the Bulldogs."
The Dogs are also anticipating a bruising opening and skipper Easton Wood says his side isn't daunted by the proposition.
"Every game is physical and they've obviously got some experienced players and whether or not they try and impose that physicality, it's nothing that we haven't come against during the season," Wood said.
"It's nothing we haven't been able to deal with."
Wood's opposite number, Luke Hodge, has been a chief protagonist in the physical intimidation stakes over the years and Ling says the Hawks' captain will have plenty of willing accomplices on Friday night.
"Hodge and Jordan Lewis are number one and number two, but Sam Mitchell is in there at his antagonistic best and that makes him a better player," Ling said.
"Then they've also got (Josh) Gibson playing on edge and then the forward pack is hunting with Cyril (Rioli) and (Paul) Puopolo.
"If it was just all bluff you'd say 'Righto, mate, we'll have you no worries', but when it's backed up every time you get the footy, that's when it gets inside your head.
"When you're panicking with the footy and trying to pass off the responsibility, that's when they've got you."
If the Bulldogs are to progress to a preliminary final against Greater Western Sydney, Ling says they'll need to fight fire with fire and not let an ageing, but battle-hardened Hawthorn side, get off to a flyer.
A win will also see them snap an eight-game losing streak against the Hawks that stretches back to 2010.
"Their best opportunity is if they can turn the tables on Hawthorn and go back at them the right way with ferocious attack on the ball, pressure and scrapping," Ling said.
"Hawthorn's dominance has to come to an end at some stage and does their intensity and pressure only last two-and-a-half quarters now instead of four quarters it's renowned for?
"That might be enough if they get on top early, but if the scores are level later in the game, that's when it just might tip the Dogs' way."
