The Bulldogs will come off a week from hell when they go to Geelong this Friday night to play the Cats.

Last Saturday night, the Bulldogs dropped out of the top four with an upset loss to St Kilda.

They are coming off an upset loss to St Kilda, during which Mitch Wallis broke two bones in his leg and Jack Redpath ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Circumstances meant Wallis’ teammates could hear his agony in the dressing rooms immediately after the match.

The Bulldogs will be without key Mitch Wallis who is out with a broken leg. Photo: AAP

Coach Luke Beveridge was close to tears on Tuesday at a media conference, while many Bulldogs players were crying in the changerooms on Saturday at Etihad Stadium.

“As traumatic and tough a week it’s been, it has been a week that just reminds you of how close everyone is and how much we all love each other,” Macrae said.

Round 19 make or break

“It has been a difficult week but we’re all pretty excited to get out on Friday night, hopefully do them proud and put it behind us.”

Macrae was full of praise for teammates’ resilience and self-belief this year and he expects more of the same at Simonds Stadium.

“With every injury and challenge we’ve faced, every time we’ve responded,” the midfielder said.

The Bulldogs, who sit seventh on the ladder but could burst back into the top four if they defeat Geelong, have endured a luckless run this season with injuries.

Geelong are looking to consolidate their place in the top four. Photo: AAP

Captain Bob Murphy, who was booked in for a season-ending knee reconstruction after tearing his ACL in round three, has been one of many key players to suffer serious setbacks.

“You either believe or you don’t,” Murphy said. “We’ve said for a long time we have a lot of depth at our footy club.”

“This team has shown that one falls down, one steps straight in and we get good results.

“It’s a challenge, of course it is, but we actually believe we’re good enough to beat anyone.”

Geelong legends reach milestones

Their hosts this week will be determined to win, with club legends Jimmy Bartel and Corey Enright reaching major personal milestones in round 19.

Bartel will play his 300th match, while Enright will break the Cats’ games record when he runs out for the 326th time.

“We’ve got our own,” Macrae said. “Easton Wood’s 100th game – obviously, it’s not as far along as those two.”

“They’re both great players and we’ll show them the respect they deserve.

“But we haven’t really spoken about it and it doesn’t really change what happens once the ball is bounced.”

The Bulldogs are also expected to be bolstered by the return from injury of star forwards Jake Stringer and Luke Dahlhaus.