Stopping Hawthorn’s potent small forwards looms as a key to victory in Friday’s AFL semi-final, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge says.

Cyril Rioli, Paul Puopolo and Luke Breust have caused headaches for opposition sides all year but Beveridge says they’ll require extra attention at the MCG given Hawthorn’s talent in spreading the ball around the wider ground.

“They provide a significant aerial and ground threat, so we’ll need to put enough pressure on the ball and give our defenders a chance to win the ball back really quickly,” Beveridge said on Thursday.