The experience of Taylor Walker. The monstrous size of Riley Thilthorpe. The reliability and strength of Darcy Fogarty.
Those will be three significant areas of concern for the Dogs ahead of a do-or-die game against Adelaide on Saturday night.
The Western Bulldogs defence has been one of the most under fire line groups going into this year's finals series
Granted, a strong back-end to the home and away season went some way to dispelling doubts, but several moments against Collingwood gave cause for concern, and they only need to look to Fremantle's attack less than 48 hours ago to appreciate the difference between home and away domination and standing up in finals.
In-form forward Dan McStay was arguably Collingwood's best player and took five contested marks against the Dogs last week.
What his dominance on emerging leader James O'Donnell exposed was that if he is bested by an opposition spearhead, there is no-one to turn to if he is being beaten.
Despite his height, Rory Lobb is more of an interceptor, and Buku Khamis plays his best footy as a third tall.
Khamis was important on last weekend but remains a player prone to nervy moments.
That Tim Membrey took a mark inside 50 as Collingwood went end-to-end from a kick-in was a significant breakdown in a big moment even if the result proved inconsequential.
Adelaide's venomous forward line has not quite been at its absolute best consistently this year, but the aforementioned trio still has 96 goals from 50 games combined and will be keen to atone a meek 2025 finals campaign.
Adelaide is yet to prove its style of footy stands up in September, with its inability to win a final under Matthew Nicks putting his job in jeopardy.
That itself could steel a squad of players to play for its affable coach even if there should be significant questions about how such information was leaked on the eve of a finals series.
Its midfield was belted twice in finals at the Adelaide Oval last year, ending a minor premiership year with a whimper.
But that was sans Izak Rankine. With his inclusion, Adelaide's midfield looks far stronger.
And if they give their midfield service, there will be great intrigue about how the Dogs backline responds.
