The Western Bulldogs have opened the season two from two and defender Easton Wood says that they’re fully prepared to take on the toughest challenge in football -  Hawthorn.

It’s been six years since a Bulldogs team defeated the Hawks, and they needed six goals from Barry Hall to do it. 

Since then, it’s been all brown and gold, and by an average margin of 43 points.

Bulldogs fans would be well aware that their side flew out of the gates last season, accounting for finals aspirants West Coast and Richmond in the first two rounds, only to succumb to the powerful Hawks by 70 points at Aurora Stadium.

Speaking with Channel Seven, Wood said even with injuries to skipper Luke Hodge and Jared Roughead, the Hawks remain the team to beat.

“They’re the benchmark of the competition and have been for a number of years so it’s a great test to come up against them early and see where we stand.

“It’ll be interesting to see what we can do and see how we go on the weekend.”

Senior coach Luke Beveridge told media earlier in the week that he expects Hawthorn to try to make a statement against the young Bulldogs, but Wood says his young side have taken confidence from their early season form and will be ready for whatever the Hawks dish out.

“I think the thing about our group is we’re really just exploring what we can do. 

“We haven’t put a ceiling on anything, it’s really about finding out what we are capable of. 

“What does it look like - what is out best?”

We might just found out on Sunday afternoon at Etihad Stadium.