Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade rated St Kilda - his side's AFL Wizard Cup opponent on Friday - the equal of any team in the competition.

The Bulldogs and their new coach will get another good indication of how far they've progressed when they take on the Saints, the reigning pre-season premier and preliminary finalist from the 2004 season proper, in Launceston on Friday night.

"I've got no doubt (they will)," Eade said when asked if St Kilda would again improve in 2005.

"They missed by a goal or so from being in a grand final and I've got no doubt they're the equal of any team in the competition.

"They had five or six out last week and will probably bring three or four guys back this week, so it's going to be a tough challenge for us, which I think at this stage of the year is great for us."

St Kilda has recalled experienced quartet Robert Harvey, Stephen Powell, Aussie Jones and Andrew Thompson for the trip south after they were rested from last Saturday's win over Hawthorn.

Eade was happy with a first-up win over Sydney and wants to see more of the good pressure his young charges put on their opponents.

"As long as the effort is there, then I still think we can take some positives out of the game," he said.

The Bulldogs' Tasmanian contingent - including Eade and full-forward Jade Rawlings - met up with some members of the Tasmanian cricket side, who are in Melbourne to play Victoria in the Pura Cup match at the MCG starting on Thursday.

Like the Bulldogs, the Tigers are keen to instill a winning culture into their side, and took a giant step in that direction on Sunday when they beat Queensland in the final of the ING Cup.

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