Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade is confident his players can cope with what could be two physically punishing trips to Perth in the first four AFL rounds.

The Bulldogs start their season at Subiaco on Sunday against Fremantle, and then play West Coast there in round four.

Eade would prefer the two trips to Perth to be spaced well apart, especially as hot conditions and temperatures in the mid-30s have been forecast on Sunday.

But he said the Bulldogs had tailored their build-up to playing in the heat and was confident the expected hot weather would not be an issue.

"No, it won't be," he said on Tuesday.

"We've had a very good pre-season and our fitness levels are very good and we've played a couple of (practice) games in heat at this stage, so it's not a big issue for us."

Bulldog guns Adam Cooney and Robert Murphy, both recovering from post-season knee surgery, are expected to make the trip west.

Eade expected Cooney to play against the Dockers, but was unsure about Murphy, while defender Tom Williams is unlikely to return after an ankle injury until round two.

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