The Western Bulldogs are bracing for more COVID-19 infections after having four players unavailable for their 28-point victory over St Kilda.
Coach Luke Beveridge feared more senior players would join Aaron Naughton, Josh Schache and Lachie Hunter in coronavirus protocols ahead of Friday night's clash with the Saints.
Zaine Cordy, who has not featured at AFL level since week 10, along with off-field staff Travis Varcoe, Matt Spangher and Brent Prismall have also been struck down by COVID-19.
Beveridge has urged his players to be careful in what they do as COVID-19 cases again spike around Australia and within AFL clubs.
"Everyone had to test (on Friday) morning and we're holding our breath," Beveridge said.
"We had a training session with the boys who didn't play because there's a bye at state league level with our Footscray team...we were told we might have to pull a couple of players out from that training session and into the game.
"We're definitely advising them against certain things and the boys are smarter enough to know what the boundaries are in this climate.
"Even within the club now we're starting to wear masks again.
"Brisbane was really extreme last week (missing five players against Essendon), we were a fair way off what they went through but the good thing is you always get them back if they're asymptomatic."
Despite the COVID-19 chaos, the Bulldogs were able to snap a two-game losing run to reignite their finals hopes and leapfrog St Kilda on percentage into ninth on the ladder.
They have been below their best for most of the season, but the Bulldogs have traditionally finished campaigns strongly under Beveridge.
Last year, they suffered a slump towards the end of the home-and-away season before going on a magical run through September to reach the grand final from outside the top-four.
