THE WESTERN Bulldogs will face the "toughest task in footy" on Saturday when they meet ladder leaders Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.

But they are likely to be bolstered by the inclusion of former skipper Matthew Boyd to cover the loss of a hamstrung Adam Cooney.

The newly renovated ground has quickly become a fortress for the Power, with the club having won all six of its games there this season.

The Bulldogs claimed their first big scalp for the year with a victory over top-four aspirants Collingwood last Sunday at Etihad Stadium, but have had to quickly temper their excitement this week as they focus on the Power.

"This week we experienced some euphoria and last week (in the loss to the Brisbane Lions) it was one of our lowest performances, but we're trying to keep it as balanced as we can," assistant coach Brett Montgomery said on Wednesday morning.

"We've got some confidence up at the moment, we've been building for a while and we've been super competitive.

Silencing the Power faithful at Adelaide Oval is no easy task, but the Bulldogs aren't shying away from the challenge, instead using it as a learning tool for their young side.

"It's a great opportunity for our guys," Montgomery said.

"It's another chapter in their footy education. Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval at the moment is the toughest task in footy, as Geelong in Geelong has been for quite a few years."

"There's no doubt it will be the biggest crowd we play against this year. I think our guys are looking forward to it. We've had some average crowds because of some indifferent form and this is a great opportunity."

The Bulldogs will be forced to make at least one change for the clash with veteran Cooney ruled out with a hamstring injury he sustained in the win over the Pies.

But tough midfielder Boyd is set to replace him after being a late withdrawal last weekend with hamstring tightness.

"It's a big blow [to lose Cooney]," Montgomery said.

"Anytime you lose a mature midfielder, especially one of his calibre.

"We're hoping Matthew Boyd gets through training today and will be an inclusion. As the guys did for three-quarters on the weekend, someone else will step up.

"I thought Marcus Bontempelli and (Nathan) Hrovat and these guys actually filled the void pretty well."

Boyd ran laps at Whitten Oval on Wednesday before joining in the team's main training session and moved around the ground unhindered.

Forward Tom Williams was also a late withdrawal from the game against Collingwood with ankle soreness and, like Boyd, will also need to get through training before being considered for selection.

However Williams trained away from main group on Wednesday and left the track before the session was completed.

Twitter: @NatEdwards_AFL