The Western Bulldogs' much-improved hardness has caught Carlton's attention in the lead-up to their AFL match at Etihad Stadium.

After starting the season so well, the two sides have stalled with frustrating losses and the stakes are suddenly rising.

The Blues hurt their chances last weekend with poor goalkicking in the loss to Sydney and coach Brett Ratten expects another tough, physical contest.

Ratten, like many AFL observers, has noticed a harder edge to the 'Dogs.

"I suppose the Bulldogs are a little bit more outside (than Sydney), but I watched them against ... Richmond," Ratten said.

"Their defensive pressure and the physicality was very on the forefront of everyone's mind in our coaching group, how they've really taken that to another level.

"So we think that will be the same sort of tactic - defensively, they've really improved."

The Bulldogs will have one day's less break than Carlton and also had the trip back from Perth, so how well they recovered during the week will be crucial.

While their inside play has impressed, the 'Dogs still love to make the most of Etihad Stadium's conditions and kill off opponents with speed and skill.

The Bulldogs started the season with three-straight wins before Sunday's upset loss against West Coast.

Carlton had two wins, building on their pre-season optimism, but were well below their best in the four-point loss to Essendon and could not capitalise on their chances against the Swans.

Clearly, the Blues need a lift from full-forward Brendan Fevola after his inaccurate 4.7 against Essendon and 1.4 last weekend.

Had he kicked 7.4 and 4.1, Carlton would most likely go into Sunday on four wins and no losses.

But as Eade ruefully noted after the Eagles loss, the two sides have "nearly this and we nearly that" in their losses.

Events away from football this week have also made this an emotional game for the Blues, one where they will be expected to perform at their best.

Former president Richard Pratt is a much-loved figure at Carlton and a major reason for the club's resurgence in the last couple of years.

The billionaire is now gravely ill and a string of club figures have visited him at home.

Not surprisingly, Ratten says the Blues will use Pratt as a spur.

Carlton have also swung the changes, bringing back midfielders Heath Scotland and Andrew Carrazzo.

Sam Jacobs' thigh injury means Setanta O'Hailpin will play his first senior match since his infamous punching and kicking of Cameron Cloke in a pre-season intraclub game.

Key defender Michael Jamison also returns, while Shaun Grigg (ankle), Richard Hadley and Mitch Robinson are the other omissions.

The Bulldogs have recalled forward Robert Murphy for his first game this season and Jarrad Grant is set for his senior debut but Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney will wait another week as he returns from minor knee surgery.

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