The big news from the Bulldogs camp this week is the one-game bans handed to Bulldogs midfielder Matthew Boyd and key forward Jack Redpath, who will both miss this week’s clash. 

Boyd was cited for striking Demons midfielder and former GIANTS Tommy Bugg during the second quarter of their clash with Melbourne, while Redpath was charged with kneeing Ben Kennedy.

Both charges carried two-match bans but were reduced to one week with an early plea.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge told media on Tuesday afternoon he would explore all possibilities to replace the suspended pair.

“Whether it’s a young guy playing his first game, that’s brilliant, there’s some energy around the club and some appreciation and acknowledgement that a young Western Bulldogs player is starting to live his dream and that can be quite uplifting,” said Beveridge.

“Or whether it’s a more experienced player who’s played a few games, we’ll wait and see. 

“But our players have been enormous. 

“Every time there’s been a challenge and we’ve lost one of our teammates, they’ve stepped in and they’ve adjusted and done everything that we’ve asked of them.”

Veteran ruckman Will Minson is another option Beveridge and his match committee team will explore, after the 192-gamer amassed 57 hitouts in Footscray Bulldogs VFL win. 

Minson was recalled for the one clash between these two sides last year and was enormous on GIANTS ruckman Shane Mumford in the Dogs’ big win.

“Yeah, we’ll consider that, definitely," Beveridge said. 

“We’ll make a decision on that on Thursday, but that’s definitely a consideration.

“He dominated the ruck and as the game went on I think we got more and more value out of his dominance out there in Port Melbourne, so he’s doing everything he can to get back in.

“He played really, really well in the corresponding game last year and that’ll go in his favour.”

Midfielder Koby Stevens could be one that returns to the Bulldogs side this week.

Bulldogs General Manager of Football Graham Lowe said Stevens was back into full training after his return from injury.

“Koby’s progressed well from his abdominal strain," Lowe said.      

“He’s back into full training and he’ll have to tick the appropriate boxes this week to make himself available for selection.”

Although initially flagged to return for this week, key defender Marcus Adams will miss at least another week with a finger complaint.

“Marcus is progressing well from his finger surgery. 

“He won’t be available, so he’ll miss this week, but we’ll review his progress next week.” 

It’s the Bulldogs’ first trip out of Melbourne for the year after an extraordinary run with their first seven games at their home ground at Etihad Stadium and last week’s clash against Adelaide a big road trip to the MCG.

With both teams on six wins and two losses and looking towards finals, Beveridge said his side is looking forward to travelling to Spotless Stadium for the first time for the big clash.

“They’re going really well. Leon and his coaching stage have obviously put a considerable amount of work to progress over the pre-season,” he said.  

“They’ve had a tremendous start to the year, their players are playing well in every facet of the game so they’re going to be an enormous challenge for us on Sunday. 

“It’s a big test and we’re looking forward to it.” 

Straight after the Dogs’ win over Melbourne, Bulldog midfielder Lachie Hunter turned his sights straight to the GIANTS.

"We've had a couple of fiery battles with them over the past few years," Hunter told AFL.com.au. 

"It's going to be an intense game."

He said the Bulldogs are wary of the GIANTS’ attack, which boasts the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Jonathon Patton and Rory Lobb with the GIANTS the best scoring team in the League, averaging 104 points per game this season.

But the Bulldogs’ back six, despite being undermanned at times, is the stingiest defence in the competition.

"Obviously with Cameron, Patton and those blokes, it's a pretty dangerous forward line," Hunter said.

"But our backline this year has conceded the least number of points, so we going into that confident."

The GIANTS take on the Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon at Spotless Stadium in Sydney Olympic Park.