SYDNEY Swans coach Paul Roos expects the Western Bulldogs to return to their ferocious best on Saturday night after the combination of a Jason Akermanis spray and the ignominy of a 101-point loss to Geelong.

A win over the Bulldogs is crucial for the Swans’ hopes of hosting an elimination final in the first week of September.

The match also marks the final game for Roos and retiring skipper Brett Kirk at the SCG but the Swans coach said the Bulldogs would pay no heed to sentiment on Saturday night.

He expected Dogs skipper Brad Johnson to be particularly fired up after his former teammate Jason Akermanis suggested the veteran had gone on one season too many.

“I’ve been really thankful that Aker’s given them a towel-up during the week. That’s fantastic. I’m sure Brad Johnson will come out and he won’t play very well,” Roos said on Thursday before training.

“They’re the things you dread as a coach - media commentators, particularly someone like that, coming out and having a go at them. That’s all you need after a 101-point loss as well.

“Brad Johnson’s an exceptional player and he’s had an exceptional career. It certainly doesn’t help my cause when they come out and say those sorts of things. They’re going to be ferocious.”

Roos acknowledged the night would be a special occasion, but with a finals series approaching he said there was no danger of the Swans losing focus.

“Whilst it’s a milestone game, it probably doesn’t have the absolute significance of a Mick O’Loughlin, Leo Barry, Crouchy [game] from last year, because that was their last game,” he said.

“For Kirky and myself, it’s more just a chance to thank the crowd.

“Last year, maybe we did get a bit too emotional with it but we had three players retiring … it was a huge thing that probably hasn’t happened before.”

Roos said he was more interested in his side’s ability to match it with a top-four side after failing in four previous attempts this year.

“It gives us a real chance to see where we’re at, because we’ve struggled against the top four sides. That’s where the excitement lies for me,” he said.

“At the end of the game, it’s also a chance to thank the crowd but apart from that, we’ve got some games to go after that.”