Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says former Swan Barry Hall is battling nerves, but no demons, ahead of the AFL clash against his old team on Saturday.

All eyes will be on the big forward as he lines up for his first hit-out against Sydney since his departure in tumultuous circumstances late last season.

Both teams have denied there'll be any argy bargy or that he'll be targeted.

In fact, as far as Eade is concerned, Hall - whose infamously short temper got him moved to Victoria when the Swans said they couldn't trust him on the field - is now a "pretty controlled" man.

"Every player that plays against his old team goes through a bit of anxiety, but I think he's pretty controlled, he'll be ok," Eade said.

"Barry's obviously a little bit nervous playing against his old team, but nothing more than usual."

Eade is taking it easy on Hall, who's been relatively quiet for the past two weeks, saying there'll be no pressure for him to convert on the scoreboard.

"In a couple of games he's struggled, but he's kept his cool, he's kept his workrate up.

"We're not going to judge him on goals, more on goal assists.

"He's averaging three a game ... that's fine by us."

The Hall factor looms as just a side challenge for the Swans, who are fighting to regain their ascendancy following last week's momentum-sapping loss to Geelong.

The Bulldogs have taken the points in their last four clashes against the Swans, who will be without its number one rucking combination following the loss of Shane Mumford through suspension.

Mark Seaby was ruled out for three months a week before that with an ankle injury.

Roos concedes the Bulldogs will be a tough challenge, even without Brad Johnson, whose groin soreness has kept him out of the team for another week.

"We've struggled to beat them," Roos said.

"We're going to have to improve significantly to give ourselves a chance.

"We lost the momentum after five wins, so it'll be good to get that back again, but ... if we can't control their better players through the midfield, well, it's going to be a long day at the office."

The main rucking duties will be left to back-ups Mike Pyke, Jesse White and maybe Adam Goodes - the last two to the detriment of the Swans' usual forward line.

But the Swans will have the benefit of another tall, former Cat Henry Playfair, who is due to make a long-awaited return after being sidelined through injury since 2008.

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