Defender Taylor Duryea says the challenge of facing Richmond at the MCG this Friday night could be the Western Bulldogs’ greatest test of the season so far.

The Bulldogs are one of two sides heading into round seven undefeated – the club’s best start since 1946 – to find themselves top of the ladder.

Duryea said while facing the reigning premiers at home won’t be easy, it will provide a good indication to where the Bulldogs sit amongst some of the league’s best.

“It’s always tough going up a really good opponent who’s maybe had a disappointing week the week before - there’s going to be no better challenge for us really,” Duryea told SEN 1116.

“Guys particularly at this club haven’t played many games (at the MCG) either, so to be able to play at the ‘G against one of the best opponents of the last five years is going to be awesome.

“These are the challenges that you need to face, and are the things that sort of help the group further into the season as something we can grow from.”

Duryea has not missed a match this season, tasked with the challenge of playing on some of the competition’s elite small forwards like West Coast’s Liam Ryan and Brisbane’s Charlie Cameron.

“When I started in the league, a lot of small forwards had that crumbing craft and a lot of speed, and then there were guys like Chad Wingard, Robbie Gray who I always found difficult to play on because they were so good in the air but as soon as the ball hits the deck they were onto it straight away,” Duryea said.

“I think that’s the new expectation almost with small forwards – that you need to be able to take a grab as well.

“Fortunately I’ve got not a bad leap myself, which has sort of aided me in being able to play on those small forwards a little bit, but at the end of the day you can’t be too opponent-focused.

“You have to back yourself in to either help your teammates or have a read of it yourself – it’s never easy but I do relish that challenge.”

Duryea said there is a “hunt for perfection” among the Bulldogs camp this year.

“We’re getting picky - sometimes the coaches are looking at clips and trying to pick at things that in years past we might have thought was being tedious, but that’s sort of where we’re at now with the group,” he said.

“Now having teams throw different stuff at us, you might scout a team and they’ll be doing one thing, but coming up against our midfield in particular they’re going to start putting different plans in place.

“We’re just trying as a group to be ready for different things to be thrown at us knowing we’re going to hunted a little bit more than previous years. We’re just taking on every challenge that we can.”