The Brisbane Lions know all too well the damage that the Western Bulldogs can inflict on their opposition.

Five months ago, the Lions headed into their Round 1 match against the Bulldogs as warm favourites.

The Lions had just secured the AFL NAB Cup pre-season premiership, while the Dogs were being touted as one of 2013’s likely ‘cellar dwellers’.

But the match didn’t go to script, with the Bulldogs dominating from the outset and running out 68-point winners.

It proved one of the Lions’ most humbling losses for the season, and seemed to have a flow-on effect over the next couple of months.

Even though the Lions now sit two games clear of the Bulldogs on the ladder, the boys from the West are one of the form sides of the AFL competition.

The Dogs have won three of their past four matches – against Finals aspirants West Coast, Adelaide and Carlton – and will fancy their chances in their return bout with the Lions this Sunday afternoon at the Gabba.

Assistant Coach Shane Woewodin said the Lions were aware of the Bulldogs’ sensational end-of-season form, and would need to prepare for a dogfight.

“They touched us up in Round 1, they really put us to the sword and had us on the back foot at the start of the year,” Woewodin told LIONS TV as part of the Vero Coaches’ Wrap.

“They’re a much improved team – contested footy has been their big focus. They’re winning clearances and finishing the games of really well.

“Some young kids have given them some speed on the outside, they win the contested ball inside, and their forwards are grabbing it. It’s going to be a big test for us.

“They’ll certainly come up here with an attitude that they can win the game. We’ll have to at our best to beat them.”