The Western Bulldogs need to return to their run-and-gun best if they are to secure the final position in the top-eight, coach Luke Beveridge says.

Luke Beveridge concedes the Western Bulldogs have left themselves little room for error if they want to feature in the AFL finals.

The Bulldogs are among five teams fighting for the last position in the top-eight, and will need to upset their nemesis Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night to continue their momentum.

Last week's 28-point triumph over St Kilda was a welcome return to form for Beveridge's Bulldogs.

But the Demons, who have been below their best, have dispatched the Bulldogs in their last two outings, including last year's grand final demolition.

Melbourne backed up their second-half blitz in last year's decider in Perth by crushing the Bulldogs by 26 points in the opening game of 2022.

"When you get to the pointy end, there's not much wriggle room when you're in our situation," Beveridge said on Wednesday.

"Ultimately, whether it's luck or the sands of time trickling out in your favour I'm not sure - but (results are) well within our control, if we can keep winning.

"We'll just focus in on a huge challenge for us, when you consider our last two outings against this opposition.

"We'll need to be at our best to trouble them and win the game."

Aaron Naughton's return after a bout of COVID-19 is a major boost for the Bulldogs.

He will again team up with fellow forward Josh Bruce following the key forward's first game in almost a year last week.

Melbourne were dealt a big blow when forward Ben Brown was ruled out on Friday due to a minor knee niggle.

Brown, who failed to get through training on Friday morning, has been replaced in the side by Sam Weideman.

Champion midfielder Clayton Oliver is back after missing last week's win against Port Adelaide with a thumb injury, while key defender Harrison Petty also returns.

Adam Tomlinson and Toby Bedford were dropped.

Demons coach Simon Goodwin is prepared for the Bulldogs to throw everything at them.

"If anyone saw their game against St Kilda, they'd say all their strengths were back on show," Goodwin said on Wednesday.

"Their midfield was really dominant, they had that explosive handball game out of stoppage and they were able to hit the scoreboard from that part of the ground.

"We know what they're about, the Western Bulldogs, we've played them a lot over the last couple of years.

"They're always great games of footy, they challenge us in a whole range of different areas and they look like they're back in their best form."