Ross Lyon’s blueprint for success in Saturday’s match against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium is a simple one – win the midfield to give Freo’s forwards supply and protect its defence.

The Dogs controlled the midfield battles to overwhelm NAB Cup champions Brisbane in round 1.

Brendan McCartney’s side won almost every statistical performance barometer in the 68-point win.

Lyon said Freo had its work cut out for it to ensure that didn’t happen again.

While it was the likes of Tom Liberatore and Ryan Griffen who put the Lions to the sword, Lyon believed the Dogs’ midfielders had to be cut off at the source.

“I think it was all generated by Will Minson, so Jon Griffin and Kepler Bradley have got a good challenge to compete strongly in the ruck,” Lyon said.

The Freo senior coach also acknowledged the form of Dogs’ 2008 Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney, who looked good in round 1 after an injury ravaged 2012.

Cooney’s captain Matthew Boyd said recently that the speedy midfielder was close to his best football, and Lyon agreed.

“He’s almost back to his best and that’s a frightening thought,” Lyon said.

“I coached against him in the 2009 and 2010 prelims and he was an exceptional player, so we’ll have to plan heavily for him.”

Freo defeated a severely undermanned Bulldogs’ team by 109 points in the NAB Cup, but Lyon said the Dogs’ round 1 win hadn’t surprised him at all.

“When they played us they had about 10 out,” he said.

“I think they’ve flown under the radar a bit.

“They’re really well coached and they’ve got some strong leadership when you talk about Griffen and Cooney and (Dale) Morris.”

Lyon said Freo were under no illusions that Saturday’s match would be easy against a side many had expected would struggle this year.

“We’ve gone to school on them and we’ve prepared like we would if it was a grand final,” he said.

“We’re really serious about this. We’ve got a singular focus and we’re really determined to play well in Melbourne.”