WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says his undefeated team is primed to take on heavyweight Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium next Sunday.
The Bulldogs thumped St Kilda by 57 points on Saturday night to strengthen their position at the top of the AFL ladder and have now set their sights on claiming the scalp of the triple-reigning premiers.
"We couldn't have started off (the season) any better to prepare," Beveridge said.
"We'll all go and watch the Hawks-West Coast game (on Sunday at the MCG) and take it all in.
"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 Dogs made the finals last year and have been as impressive as any rival so far this season, but Beveridge believes they are still the hunter rather than the hunted.
"We haven't established ourselves as anywhere near a benchmark and until you actually get there, you're still not sure of your identity, and we're trying to work that out," he said.
"In some ways it's hard, but in other ways it isn't because we haven't achieved anything yet and we feel like we're on a journey that's got a pretty good trajectory. But you're only one game away from plateauing."
WATCH: Luke Beveridge's full post-match media conference
The Dogs were slow to get going against the Saints, who were emotionally-charged in skipper Nick Riewoldt's 300th game.
Beveridge rued too many "squandered" scoring opportunities but hailed it as an "outstanding performance".
The Dogs coach said he hadn't been concerned about the hype surrounding forward Jake Stringer, who was this week compared to Geelong legend Gary Ablett snr.
"I wasn't worried but you have to process it and at some point address it," he said.
"The players play to live those weeks where they're getting some credit and they can enjoy a victory, so you never want to take that away from them.
"I was rapt that Jake was getting some credit and some of the other boys were.
"Ultimately you have to compartmentalise it and move on and bring your best for the next challenge. There's no doubt all 22 did that today."
