The Hawks have averaged almost 18 goals per game this season, and possess a multi-pronged attacking structure including Lance Franklin (45 goals), Jarryd Roughead (28), Mark Williams (16) and Cyril Rioli (13).
Bulldogs midfielder Matthew Boyd said it's going to be "very important" for his side to gain ascendency in the middle, especially considering the margin the last time the two clubs met was an embarrassing 84 points in the Hawks' favour.
"Last year when we played them late in the year, they smashed us and it was due to the fact that the midfielders got beaten and the forwards just had too good a supply," Boyd said ahead of the Tasmania clash.
"If you win in the midfield most games, then you're a good chance of winning the game, but it's extra important this week."
Coach Rodney Eade says his team has the mettle to match it with the Hawks' talented engine room, which may be bolstered by the return of Shane Crawford and Jordan Lewis from injury.
"I think that happens with any game. You hear coaches always talking about it being won and lost in the midfield," Eade said.
"It depends on supply and access to the ball, and that's what we'd like to think we can do – win enough of the ball so it's going our way rather than going their way."
Boyd said the Bulldogs will research the Hawks this week and attempt to find a way to halt their rolling zone. But the midfielder says the main focus will be on forcing the ladder-leaders to play the game on the Bulldogs terms.
"We'll look at a bit of footage and do a bit of training and train the way they play," he said.
"Really, we just want to play the way we've been playing, and take them on.
"They're a great side and they deserve to be at the top of the ladder, and it's going to be a tough game. But we believe that if we play the way we've played in the past nine weeks that we have a chance of winning.
"We've got good match-ups against Hawthorn and they're a really good running side … hopefully we can match them at that and their hardness at the ball."
