THE WESTERN Bulldogs took a sledgehammer to the premiership clock theory in 2016. 

Written in folklore now is Luke Beveridge's pups won four finals that year to soar from seventh spot and clinch a fairytale premiership.

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They weren't supposed to be a contender then, and went on to miss the finals the next two seasons before squeaking in last year with a late surge.

Beveridge's team again isn't a flag favourite in 2020 but is at the very least the most hyped in the AFL pack, after luring two new bookends in last year's Telstra AFL Trade Period. 

Translation: people will see them coming this time around. 

In came Josh Bruce to be the tall target and reliable goalkicker they needed – with apologies to the hugely promising Aaron Naughton – and Alex Keath to shore up the backline and provide intercepting nous. 

The two major gaps were supposedly plugged, yet another one remains a significant positional problem. 

If there's one thing AFL coaches hate about media coverage, it's an overreaction to one game – but a trend is developing. 

Tim English took over as the Bulldogs' No.1 ruckman last year, after being the first big man taken at No.19 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft. 

Only recruiters' reluctance to use too early of a pick on a ruckman prevented the West Australian beanpole from being a top-10 selection. 

English played 20 of his 29 career matches last season and there were some good signs but his almighty struggles against the AFL's measuring stick, Collingwood's Brodie Grundy, are reason for concern. 

He had a combined 22 hitouts (seven to advantage) in those two clashes. Grundy had 108 (34 to advantage) and polled maximum Brownlow Medal votes on both occasions. 

The Magpies pipped the Bulldogs each time. 

So much was expected when the two big men shared the field again in the clubs' much-anticipated season opener on Friday night.

Instead, it was a mauling. Again. Grundy slaughtered English to ignite a Collingwood onball brigade keen to bring their Bulldogs counterparts down a peg.

Grundy literally and regularly rag-dolled the outmatched 22-year-old, who went to half-time with one handball and six hitouts to his name as the Pies piled on eight of the first nine goals. 

His Collingwood opponent had 13 disposals (seven contested), 26 hitouts, five inside 50s and three shots at goal to that point.

There was also brutality in the overall numbers, which at one stage had Nathan Buckley's squad leading the inside 50s 24-4, clearances 21-6 (9-1 in the centre), marks inside 50 7-0 and disposals 154-107. 

The Dogs couldn't even enact their get-out-of-jail-free card, with Marcus Bontempelli turning in a rare poor performance in his first official game as skipper. 

To English's credit, he marginally improved in the second half. 

Astute judges, including one of the greatest ruckmen in the Kennel's history in Luke Darcy, who commentated Friday night's match for Triple M, are convinced English is going to be "a very good player". 

The purpose of this article isn't to dispute that. Ruckmen take time. 

What Beveridge and his Bulldogs comrades must work out across the next 16 rounds is whether they can afford to keep playing English as their main ruckman in a season where a flag isn't out of the question. 

'IT WAS JUST A REAL NIGHTMARE' Beveridge left scratching head

At the same time, there aren't a heap of other options. Lewis Young and Josh Bruce backed up the 205cm kid against the Magpies. 

Another 22-year-old Dogs ruckman, Jordon Sweet, is yet to make his AFL debut after averaging almost 40 hitouts in the VFL last year. Maybe he could have helped.

Beveridge's men will be and are far better than they showed on Friday night but they have plenty to think about – starting with the ruck.