Reigning AFLW champions the Western Bulldogs are set to welcome back two stars for a high-stakes trip to Perth after slumping to the bottom of Conference A.

The Dogs’ finals hopes hang in the balance after Brisbane exacted sweet revenge in Saturday night’s grand final replay, claiming a 7.7 (49) to 2.5 (17) victory at Whitten Oval.

Facing tough games against Fremantle and Melbourne to come, the Bulldogs are bottom of Conference A with three home-and-away rounds remaining.

Co-captain Ellie Blackburn is no certainty to travel west to face the Dockers next Sunday, having been sent to hospital for scans after copping a fourth-quarter head knock against Brisbane which forced her to be stretchered off.

But in a major boost for the Bulldogs, former No.1 draft pick Isabel Huntington and forward Brooke Lochland both appear set to return.

Huntington hasn’t played since tearing her ACL in round two of last season, while Lochland broke her right leg in a pre-season practice match.

Coach Paul Groves conceded the Bulldogs, trailing Conference A pacesetters North Melbourne and Fremantle by four points, had little room for error.

“Can we still make it? Of course we can,” Groves said.

“We can’t probably have any more slip-ups but we’ll go back to work and trek across the Nullarbor.”

Saturday night’s result is certain to place fresh scrutiny on the new conference system.

With both teams on two wins and two losses, the Bulldogs are bottom of Conference A and Brisbane are top of the weaker Conference B.

Under the controversial system, the top two teams from the two ladders progress to the finals – meaning the third or even fourth-placed team in A could miss out despite having had a better season than the finalists from B.

“I quite like it,” Groves said.

“You look at a game tomorrow – GWS versus Collingwood. If that was with a full ladder, that’d be a dead rubber.

“Both teams if they win are now probably looking at a finals spot.

“You’re going to get the two best teams in the grand final anyway, you’ve just got to win or come second in your conference.”