THERE is a certain irony in the height-starved Western Bulldogs boasting three onballers who stand at least 190cm.

The three in question – Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae and Josh Dunkley – just so happen to also be among the Dogs' top handful of players. 

It's one of many complexities at the Kennel.

BLUES v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats

Bontempelli, Macrae and Dunkley accumulated an absurd 39 touches between them by quarter-time on Saturday night and finished with a combined 105. 

Yet Luke Beveridge's men made hard work of it, coughing up a game-high 34-point lead to briefly trail in the third term, before recovering then stumbling to narrowly avoid a second season defeat to Carlton.

That aforementioned trio comprised half of the team's 190cm-plus stocks in round six, when a Blues side that had struggled to score booted 15 goals and clutched 16 marks inside 50. 

Dunkley spent almost 70 per cent of his time that day as a forward, probably in part because of the height famine, but he was best afield with 41 touches in an onball role on Saturday. 

His return to being a midfielder-forward, rather than vice-versa, has resulted in a return to his gaudy numbers from the last nine rounds last year. 

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However, winning the Sherrin has rarely been a club problem throughout the season, with the Dogs racking up, on average, 25 possessions more than their opponents in the first 12 rounds. 

Ten Bulldogs amassed 21 disposals or better per game in that period.

Yet the numbers too often don't stack up, making you think there is more to it than the simplistic fix of recruiting a quality tall or two – although reinforcements would certainly help.

At least Beveridge sent out two extra big men in his second go at Carlton, with Jackson Trengove slotting in down back and mid-season draftee Ryan Gardner providing a target. 

Harry McKay, who ran rampant against the Dogs last time, certainly noticed Trengove's inclusion, but Gardner was quiet again.

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Aaron Naughton is arguably the most promising key-position player in the competition as well, despite growing pains as the focal point this year. 

Entering round 13, the Sons of the West ranked (in differentials) third for disposals, uncontested possession, clearances and time in forward half and fourth for inside 50s. 

Those typically aren't the numbers of a team with a then-4-7 win-loss record, which improved on Saturday night with a three-point triumph.

The Bulldogs have a long list of foot soldiers, including Bontempelli – who they would love to clone – Macrae, Dunkley, reigning club champion Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore and Toby McLean.

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Last year's first-round draft pick Bailey Smith – another midfielder – seems bound for stardom, while Beveridge has found one in the dashing Patrick Lipinski, too.

Figuring out what to make of them is tough, after watching them twice fall to pieces when an inspired Blues line-up came with a rush.

Are they Collingwood 2.0, in that once they sort out either end they will be a force to be reckoned with?

The Pies, ironically again, are benefiting down back from recruiting ex-Dogs tall Jordan Roughead.

Tom Boyd's premature retirement and missing out on Chad Wingard last year means they will have money to spend this off-season – and it needs to be spent well.

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