WITH injuries starting to take their toll at the Western Bulldogs, midfielder Jack Macrae believes the club's depth, belief and versatility will help them cope.
They're qualities that haven't been in abundance at Whitten Oval in recent times, but smart recruiting and Luke Beveridge's mantra of flexibility have made the Bulldogs one of the most exciting teams in the competition.
While he admits playmakers Robert Murphy and Jason Johannisen will be missed, Macrae has the upmost confidence the Dogs have the personnel to cover them.
He points to the return of vice-captain Easton Wood from a hamstring injury, and the off-season acquisitions of premiership Hawk Matt Suckling and former Brisbane Lions skipper Jed Adcock.
And then there's the emergence of former Swan Shane Biggs.
"It's really important to have players who can play different roles," Macrae told AFL.com.au.
"'Bevo' has been big on trying different players in different roles, whether that's through the backline, midfield or up forward.
"It's great to see the form of Shane Biggs, and he's really stepped up this season.
"So it doesn’t matter who it is, we have confidence that player will step up."
The hard-running ball-magnet is vital cog in one of the competition's most feared midfields, and the stats back that up.
The Dogs on-ball brigade sits first for contested football, second for forward 50 entries and fifth for disposal efficiency.
Nine of the Dogs' thirteen goals against Carlton last week came from midfielders playing multiple roles.
And with a cap on rotations these days, Macrae says those numbers come down to depth and versatility.
"It's one of our strengths, the amount of guys who can play through the midfield and we're going to get tested even further throughout the year," Macrae said.
"And that's why it's important to play different roles because you can't sit in the midfield for 20 minutes at a time and be competitive anymore.
"We can't be relying on Jake Stringer to kick a bag for us every week, so it gives that extra strength having multiple goal kickers and it makes us unpredictable.
"We've been able to hold up our end of the bargain so far."
And with expectation growing around the Bulldogs, the 21-year-old insists the players have had no trouble keeping their feet on the ground.
"Even though we're a pretty young group, we're pretty grounded and we don't let the hype get to us," he said.
"We're not reading our own press, we're just staying focused, listening to the coaches and the rest will take care of itself.
"Footscray is preforming really well in the VFL, and draftees have really stepped up right away and are knocking on the door for a spot in the seniors, which is really great for (eliminating) complacency."
