Sydney Swans forward Ryan O'Keefe expects Brad Johnson's retirement announcement to only galvanise the Western Bulldogs ahead of the two club's semi-final meeting at the MCG on Saturday night.
Bulldogs veteran Johnson announced on Monday he would pull the curtain down on his 17-year AFL career once the club's finals campaign came to an end this season.
There's a growing belief the Swans will continue their sensational late-season surge and dispose of the injury-depleted Bulldogs, who are coming off a shattering 62-point shellacking at the hands of Collingwood.
But O'Keefe warned his team-mates against underestimating the Dogs and believes Johnson's impending retirement will inspire his side in the same way Brett Kirk's departure has done with the Swans.
"There's no doubt for a bloke like Johnno who's played 300-plus games and been a legend of the club, they'd want to send him out on a good note," O'Keefe said on Tuesday.
"I'm sure they'll rise to the occasion for Johnno."
"He's a great footballer and a great person and the respect that he's earned across the whole league is huge."
"Obviously the Dogs will want to give him a send-off as well as we'd want to give Kirky."
The two sides head into Saturday night's do-or-die clash in totally contrasting fashion, with the Swans on a five-game winning run while the Bulldogs are struggling to find their best form.
While there's no doubt the Sydney players recognise a great opportunity to progress to a preliminary final, O'Keefe said there was no chance the Swans would be taking the Bulldogs lightly come the first bounce.
"There could be a little bit of false confidence if we go in thinking that the Dogs have got some injuries and they're going to be weakened," he said.
"All teams have injury problems but they've still got some really good players that can really hurt you."
"Big Baz (Barry Hall) can kick a bag and they've got some quality midfielders so any player who steps in for the Bulldogs is going to be a tough proposition."
Sydney are set to receive an even greater boost with forward Daniel Bradshaw and youngster Ben McGlynn both in line for selection.
Bradshaw has not played since round nine because of persistent knee and hamstring problems while McGlynn has missed the past three matches with a fractured cheekbone.
But both were on the training on Tuesday with Bradshaw looking particularly good after playing 80 minutes in his return for the Swans' reserves on the weekend.
While Sydney coach Paul Roos may be reluctant to alter the side that saw off Carlton on Sunday, there's no doubt he Swans are stronger with the former Lions forward in their 22.
"He's won three premierships and has got great experience," O'Keefe said of Bradshaw.
"I don't think we've got too many guys that have a huge amount of finals experience."
"There were a lot of guys who played their first final on the weekend, especially in our forward line."
"To have someone of Daniel's calibre and experience would be good to steady the ship."