WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney says his teammates won't head into the finals with a defeatist attitude if they fail to hold on to their top-four position.

Cooney, 23, believes the side should evaluate its campaign on what happens in September rather than the next three rounds.

He added that a tilt at ending the Dogs' 55-year premiership drought would remain on the cards, even if it had to be done from the bottom half of the eight.

"If we finish fifth to eighth and go on and even win the flag from there, you're not going to look back on the 22 rounds and say it was disappointing," he said.

"Anything can happen come finals time."

The Dogs have a difficult finish to the home and away season and are in danger of losing fourth spot to the Brisbane Lions, Carlton or Adelaide, which are all within one game.

They face the Lions at the Gabba this week, with the outcome to determine which side will see out the round in fourth.

"Everyone knows how important this week is after our disappointing loss on the weekend," Cooney said.

"The winner is probably going to finish in the four, so we know how big it is for us."

Cooney said the Bulldogs' recent run of injuries to key players Robert Murphy, Shaun Higgins, Daniel Giansiracusa and Scott Welsh had hampered their structure.

"It hasn't helped us that most of the guys that have been injured are good forward-line players and good goalkickers for us," he said.

"Murph provides a really good lead-up, and Shaun is a good goalkicker as well, so we've lacked structure in the forward line.

"The next couple of weeks will be good for us with a couple of quality players coming back into the side for us with Murph and Shaun."

Murphy will return this week after two games out with a hamstring strain, while Welsh will play in the VFL. Giansiracusa and Higgins are looking at round 21.

Cooney agreed it was frustrating to enter the business end of the season with a fresh batch of injuries, but had faith the Dogs' fringe players could fill the gaps.

"You can't do much about it," he said. "We've got guys who can come into the side and play roles if guys get injured, so that's the good thing about us with our depth."

Daniel Cross will miss at least one week after having minor ankle surgery on Monday night.