WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge believes his side's discipline is the reason it receives more free kicks than other teams.

The Dogs sit second for free kicks received in 2017 with 48, and that comes after they finished 2016 with a league-high 510 at an average of 20 per game.

The premiership coach refused to blame talk of favouritism from the umpires on sour grapes, but instead heaped praise on his players for their approach to the game.

"We're a very disciplined team, we pride ourselves on that, and sometimes you get the rewards from that," Beveridge said on Tuesday.

"We give away very few free kicks and we earn some.

"If they're looking at the raw numbers, go and do a qualitative assessment, then actually look at vision and pull out the ones we shouldn't be getting, and have a look out for the ones we're not getting just like other teams.

"If you base your analysis on quantities you're missing the mark by a long way."

Beveridge forecast changes for Saturday night's clash with Fremantle in Perth, with several players battling niggles after an undefeated start to the season.

Forward Toby McLean, and midfielders Josh Dunkley, Clay Smith and Mitch Honeychurch loom as possible inclusions after strong form in recent VFL practice matches.

The Bulldogs model some new colours at Whitten Oval. Picture: Getty Images

"Maybe one through injury, (but) there's not too much pressure form wise after a pretty even spread Friday night," he said.

"One or two of the boys have been a little bit ginger early in the piece and we might need to give one or two a spell."

The Dogs will head west with their form steadily building after wins over Collingwood and the Sydney Swans, but Beveridge reminded reporters of the shock loss to the Dockers late last season.

"(Our form against Sydney) was a step up from round one, so we're heading in the right direction, but striving for perfection is always the case," Beveridge said.

"I'd like to think we can play better over in Perth against the Dockers than we did in round 23 last year."

Recovering Dog Jordan Roughead is put through his paces on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images