The Cairns’ heat should not play a factor in the result according to assistant coach Rohan Smith as the Dogs prepare to take on the Suns this Saturday at Cazalys Stadium. 

With preparations for the heat beginning a number of weeks ago, the Bulldogs are primed and ready to make amends for their round 10 loss against the Suns. 

“The boys have been doing some heat work anyway in the last few weeks, like we prepared when we go up to Darwin of late,” Smith said.

“When we get up there [today] I think the boys will be looking forward to a bit of warmth.”

The Suns took the four points against the Bulldogs seven weeks ago, with a defining third quarter the difference in the 45-point loss.

The return bout on Saturday provides the Bulldogs with an opportunity to measure their progress and Smith said getting on top at the contest will be the first priority.

“They really were great in the third quarter against us up at Metricon and the way they got on top of us from their midfield spread and their stoppage work was really classy,” he said.

“So we are going to have to focus on that this week and we are going to have to make sure we are nice and tough in close which is the basis of our game anyway and that will combat that.”

Smith highlighted the breadth of talent in the Suns midfield and said the Bulldogs will need to keep a number of players accountable if they are to be competitive.

While Ablett heads a number of statistical categories at the club Jaeger O’Meara, David Swallow and Dion Prestia all rank in the top 20 of the league for inside 50s.

O’Meara is also ninth in the competition for total tackles and Prestia ranks sixth in total disposals.

“You just have a look at their midfield depth now, obviously Gary Ablett is a fantastic player but you look at the way they finished off the game last week their midfield depth is fantastic,” he said.