TWO-TIME premiership captain Wayne Carey has urged Western Bulldogs skipper Easton Wood not to stray from his "brilliant" leadership style in Saturday's Grand Final against the Sydney Swans.

Carey, who led North Melbourne to flags in 1996 and 1999, has been impressed with Wood's captaincy in the absence of Robert Murphy, and has implored the 27-year-old to keep the status quo as he prepares to lead out the Bulldogs in his biggest game as captain.

"I think Easton's captaincy has been quite brilliant this season, so he's got to try and keep it as simple as possible, Carey told AFL.com.au.

"You just reinforce what you've done all year and try and relax the nerves as much as you can.

"If you're not a big talker, you don't all of a sudden start talking on Grand Final day.

"Just do what you do really well."

The Bulldogs will have strong on-field leadership during the Grand Final. Picture: AFL Photos

While Wood has a big role to play with his leadership, Carey believes if the 2015 All Australian can repeat his preliminary final heroics against Greater Western Sydney, he'll be a strong chance to lift the Dogs' second only premiership cup with coach Luke Beveridge.

The intercept mark specialist started in a blaze of glory against the Giants, taking several marks and an amazing screamer to set his side up for a memorable win.

Wood finished with 19 disposals, eight marks (two contest) and four side 50s at a disposal efficiency of 89.5 per cent to be one of the Dogs' best.

 "He was absolutely brilliant in the first quarter last week," Carey said.

"If he can replicate that he'll put his side in it at quarter time, it will go a long way to the Bulldogs winning the game."

If Matthew Suckling doesn't overcome an Achilles problem, the Bulldogs will become the first side since St Kilda in 1997 not to field a player with Grand Final experience.

However, Carey believes the strong leadership at Whitten Oval will hold them in good stead.

"When Wood's been out (injured), Marcus Bontempelli has stepped in and done the job," Carey said.

"The Dogs have certainly got a group of guys that lead the club really well."