AFL premiership hero Toby McLean has played some big games in his career.
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But not many as big as the Western Bulldogs' potential do-or-die showdown with the Adelaide Crows in Ballarat on Sunday.
A win would guarantee the Bulldogs their first finals berth since its fairytale season three years ago. A loss could spell an early exit from the competition.
"There are a few big games this week but none bigger than this one for us," he said.
"We haven't played finals since 2016, so the boys are very excited, but we are holding back at the same time knowing we still have one more game to go, and Adelaide will be thinking the same."
The 23-year-old spoke with The Courier days out from the sell-out clash at Mars Stadium.
Eleven degrees with a chance of showers are forecast, much to the approval of McLean who believed the conditions should favour the bulldogs.
"Adelaide have a number of big and tall players and I think we have the speed around the ruck that enjoys the wet weather and thrive in any condition," he said.
McLean said this Bulldogs group had fond memories of Ballarat which was the stage of the side's round 8 victory over the second-placed Brisbane Lions.
It was one of a number of big wins the club has enjoyed this season, which has since added additional top four teams Richmond and Geelong its beaten list of names.
But among the highs have been lows, not dissimilar to Adelaide which has at times looked as formidable as any team in the league.
"We've played in some big wins interstate against Port Adelaide and against Geelong which put some real confidence behind the boys," McLean said.
"We have it in us to beat anyone we come up against, so I'm looking forward to this week."
McLean, who is now in his fifth year at the club, has played almost every game for the Bulldogs this season. No stranger to Ballarat, he said the team received great support from the city.