Star midfielder Josh Dunkley and his Western Bulldogs teammates will pay close attention to tonight’s clash between Port Adelaide and Collingwood.

The result will determine which opponent they’re drawn for a do-or-die elimination final.

But for the Bulldogs, whichever challenge gets thrown their way is one which will excite them, rather than daunt them – whether that’s a week in quarantine in Perth to play the West Coast Eagles, or St Kilda at a home venue of their choosing.

“Whatever happens, happens,” Dunkley told media on the Gold Coast today.

“We’re going to go full steam ahead into the finals series with a little bit of momentum towards the back end, which has been good.”

“We’ll definitely get together… we’ll sit down and watch it all together. We’ll see what happens.”

The Bulldogs secured a finals berth for the fourth time in six years under senior coach Luke Beveridge, with a 30-point win against Fremantle on Sunday night.

Their final position hinges on tonight’s game. A Port Adelaide win would see the Bulldogs face the Saints and a Collingwood win would send them west.

A more consistent Bulldogs outfit has emerged in recent weeks, as they look to improve on last year’s elimination final knock-out.

“The last three games especially we’ve played some really good footy,” Dunkley said.

“Throughout the mid part of the season we were playing against some good sides but just couldn’t quite get that consistency across the quarters.

“Finals footy, it always ramps up.

“For us, last year (against the Giants) wasn’t our best performance so we’ll be ready for what’s coming.

“There were a lot of players who played in that final who will play next week, a lot of experience. It’s exciting and I think we’re ready for whatever comes.”

The Bulldogs’ midfield group has been in scintillating touch – led by skipper Marcus Bontempelli, in-and-under operator Tom Liberatore and ball magnet Lachie Hunter against the Dockers.

“I think it’s just been the consistency amongst the six to eight players who go through there,” Dunkley said of the midfield group’s improvement in the past six weeks.

“We understand what helps each other out there on the ground.

Libba’s obviously been really good for us inside and then Bonti on the outside, and Jacko (Macrae), and Lachie… everyone’s just playing their role.

“I think it’s really helped us get over the line the last couple of weeks, but just to play the consistent footy that we’re after.”