Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney is confident he'll be fit to return from a knee injury for the Western Bulldogs in Friday night's AFL clash with St Kilda.

The Bulldogs have slumped to a 3-7 win-loss record following their 61-point defeat against competition leaders Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

Coach Rodney Eade said after Saturday's loss that the struggling club's revolving-door policy on selection would continue until he could find four-quarter contributors.

Small forward Daniel Giansiracusa's five-goal haul was one of the few highlights for the Bulldogs against the Cats.

All-Australian fullback Brian Lake had another shocker in the first half, but managed to kick three goals in the last quarter when Eade moved him up forward.

Eade is pinning his hopes on getting onballers Cooney and Tom Liberatore back next week for the MCG clash with the Saints.

"I trained Wednesday and Friday. It was the first big run that I've had for probably a month," Cooney said on Sunday.

"I pulled up pretty well from that so, if I get through training next week, I'm hoping to play Friday.

"I think I will play."

Cooney, 25, has missed his side's past three losses to West Coast, Hawthorn and Geelong.

The South Australian said his injury-interrupted pre-season was still haunting him.

"It's hard coming into the season with limited preparation," Cooney told the Seven Network.

"In the first part of the season, when I wasn't playing to my full potential, I was lacking a bit of power off the mark and changing direction was tough.

"In the last three weeks, I've really tried to rest up and get a bit of strength back in the quad. Hopefully, I'll come back next week and I've got that power back."

Cooney said it was difficult to be playing earlier in the season while below full fitness and receiving heavy criticism for not performing at his best.

Lake, 29, is also down on form after a knee problem and is under heavy scrutiny.

"He probably looked okay when he went up forward. He kicked three in the last quarter, so let's hope that gives him a little bit of confidence," Cooney said.

"There's no doubt he's struggling like the rest of the team with confidence and belief in himself at the moment.

"We can't write him off yet. Let's just hope he gets his fitness back up."

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