The last time the Western Bulldogs won four games in a row, they reached the 2006 AFL finals.

Widely tipped to struggle this year, after a disastrous finish to last season, the Bulldogs are instead unbeaten heading into Friday night's match against Essendon at Telstra Dome.

But the jury is still out on both them and the Bombers, who have won two games but suffered a 99-point mauling against premiers Geelong.

Forward Mitch Hahn admitted the 'Dogs are mindful of continuing their winning streak as they try to prove last year was an aberration.

"We haven't won four in a row for a very long time - three in a row was a big focus for us and now it goes to four," Hahn said.

"It gives the supporters a bit more passion and (incentive) to jump on board ... it gives you a great opportunity to play finals football."

Last year's terrible finish - six losses and a draw in the last seven rounds - resulted not only in the club free-falling out of finals contention, but in 8,000 members not renewing for this year.

For a financially-fragile club such as the Bulldogs, that is disastrous.

Hahn is one reason why the 'Dogs fans should have a bit more faith this season.

After a knee reconstruction in 2006, he failed to regain his best form on return last year.

But this year Hahn has made the most of a solid pre-season and his tackling pressure, in particular, has delighted forward coach Wayne Campbell.

"We certainly missed his forward pressure last year and the year before obviously when he was out," Campbell said.

"Coming back from that knee, you just don't have the agility that you had previously - his last two weeks have been outstanding."

Hahn sees it as a simple equation - work hard or get dropped.

"I suppose it's a little bit about my size and strength, that's why I get into the team, to tackle and chase," Hahn said.

"We've got some really skilful guys (in attack) like Rob Murphy, Gia (Daniel Giansiracusa) and Aker (Jason Akermanis), who can finish off the goals and have great skills.

"It's something I don't have, great skills, but what I do have is the hard tackling and the chasing - that's what is going to get me a game every week."

Both sides are noted for their pace, sure to be a feature on Friday night in the sterile Dome conditions, but the Bulldogs also showed an improved ability to put physical pressure on their opponents in their comeback win over St Kilda last week.

The younger, less-developed Bombers are still building their "grunt", as was evident when Geelong took them apart.

"Four weeks ago, when we played them, we obviously found out how good they are, how much they can run, how fast they are," Hahn said.

"That's something we've got to take into consideration."

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