The Western Bulldogs are set to hear plenty from captain Brad Johnson over the next month, about making the most of a special time for any AFL player.

Only 10 men have played more VFL/AFL games than Johnson, but even after 345 games and almost 16 seasons, the Doggies skipper is itching for the finals to begin and cherishes the fact his team will be a major player.

The Bulldogs will be out to cement the double chance in Sunday's blockbuster against Collingwood, and can overtake the Magpies and move to third place with a four-goal win.

Regardless of that result, Johnson is determined to keep reminding his younger teammates of the need to seize any moment they get.

"When I first started we played finals from 1994, and the only year we missed was '96 up until 2000," he said.

"Then from 2001 to 2006 we didn't feature, so you know it can really fluctuate in regard to the development of the side.

"That's why the last few years have been very exciting and I've cherished those opportunities that have been presented.

"I'll try to put that through the rest of the group as well - as quickly as it can come around it can be quickly be taken as well.

"We've got to keep our guys focused and on edge a little bit so they know the importance of what's in front of us." Johnson, 33, wants to continue roaming the forward line in 2010, even if the Bulldogs achieved their dream of winning the club's second premiership, and first since 1954.

"I'm keen to play on next year, it's just a matter of sitting down with Rocket (coach Rodney Eade) and working out the direction he wants to take," he said.

Sunday's twilight fixture will feature two of the competition's most in-form sides, as Collingwood have won 12 of their last 13 games, while the Bulldogs are fresh from impressive wins over the Brisbane Lions and Geelong.

The Pies and Dogs played a beauty in round 15, when Collingwood shot to a six-goal lead during the middle part of the game and won by one point after they withstood a last-quarter fightback from the Bulldogs.

Johnson said the Bulldogs could not afford to think about the permutations of where they would finish on the ladder, other than making sure they gave themselves the best preparation for the finals campaign.

"The way we've played the last couple of weeks had made us pretty excited about this coming game," he said.

"We're just worried about our effort and our ability to play the way we want to, so we can get into a position to win a third game in a row which would give us confidence entering the following week."

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