The Western Bulldogs will return to Etihad Stadium this weekend and senior coach Luke Beveridge hopes his side will match its’ previous performances this year, with two wins from two matches at the venue in 2015.

The faster track will be a change to the soggy conditions of the SCG last week, but Beveridge says the Dogs are well-equipped for the change of pace.

“We go back to an indoor venue and probably a quicker deck and more predictability in what you can do with the ball, and we’ll look to get back to some of those earlier performances at Etihad.”

A St Kilda side fuelled by the return of captain Nick Riewoldt and Leigh Montagna will try to stand in the Dogs’ way of a 5-1 record after six rounds and the Dogs will be on high alert.

“Our challenge is to maintain our intensity and our energy around the ball and away from it, and so it’s crucial that we go in with right mindset against the Saints who were pretty impressive against the Bombers last week.”

Although both are returning from injury, Riewoldt and Montagna will bring over 500 games’ experience between them and Beveridge was quick to acknowledge the threat they posed.

“They (Riewoldt and Montagna) have been superstars over a long period of time and we’ve got enormous respect for them, I think it adds to the quality of their side.

“Obviously they’re coming off some time out of the AFL side of it, but we’ve got to be prepared for their best and expect that they’ll bring it.”

While riding the high this week of a nail-biting win against Sydney, Beveridge says there’s only one way to continue that emotion.

“When you have a week like this week where everything’s positive and you see the smiles on people’s faces, you can’t help but want that from week to week.

“The only way you can do it is to win, that’s what we’ll set out to do.”