Burning questions for 2012: Western Bulldogs

Can the Bulldogs cope without Big Bad Barry?

Barry Hall only played two years with the Bulldogs but he leaves a massive hole in a side that has changed its structure to suit a strong target up forward. The Dogs are unlikely to revert to the mosquito fleet that worked well for them before Hall arrived at the club, which means either Liam Jones or Jarrad Grant will have to step up.

Grant looked like he may have turned the corner in 2010, kicking 29 goals in 20 games alongside Hall but his form dropped away badly last year, playing just 16 games and struggling to make much of an impact against the better sides.

Jones, though, looks like he will eventually be able to fill the Hall role; it is just a matter of how long he takes to get there. He only missed two games last year and looked more than capable in the forward line. The only question remaining is how he handles being the main target. Regardless of his promise, the Bulldogs forward line is unlikely to be as productive this year.

How will Brendan McCartney fare?

Of all the new coaches starting out this year, McCartney is probably under the least pressure with the Bulldogs missing the finals last year and appearing to be at the start of a rebuilding phase. That said, with a strong engine room and Brian Lake returning to bolster the defence this year, it is not as though the Dogs are incapable of making the finals, and if McCartney can turn around the side's fortunes quickly, he will go a long way to securing his tenure for the foreseeable future.

The key to getting the Dogs back into the top eight relies on developing some of the side's young talent quickly. Exactly how much McCartney can get out of the likes of Jordan Roughead, Ayce Cordy, Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis will go a long way to deciding how far the Dogs can go this year.

Have we seen the best of Adam Cooney?

The world seemed to be at Adam Cooney's feet after he won the Brownlow Medal in 2008 but his impact on games since then has been in constant decline, thanks to a string of injuries and a significant drop in form. He will be hoping 2011 was his career nadir after he managed just 13 games and averaged just 22 disposals in those matches, due largely to a recurring knee injury.

Unfortunately the Whitten Oval favourite has still not been able to complete a full pre-season, which means we are unlikely to see his best this year. With plenty of young talent coming through the ranks, Cooney could spend more time rotating through the forward line than starting in the centre square.

Who will take the no.1 ruck spot?

With Ben Hudson's departure, the Dogs will use the NAB Cup to audition their ruck prospects this season. Will Minson spent much of 2011 in the reserves after falling out of favour with coach Rodney Eade, but a fresh set of eyes should mean he should get first crack at holding down the no.1 ruck spot. His ability to provide a useful target up forward will also count strongly in his favour, with clubs learning that two specialist rucks are no longer viable with the sub rule in place.

If Minson proves up to the challenge of leading the Dogs' ruck division, there will be fierce competition between young guns Jordan Roughead and Ayce Cordy for the support role. Roughead has already proved capable and could give Minson a run for his money for the lead ruck spot by the end of this season. Cordy, on the other hand, has yet to show what he is capable of, having spent the last two years playing in the VFL while he adds bulk to his skinny frame. The 202cm giant will get a chance this year, but it is hard to see him displacing the other two on a regular basis after he eventually makes his debut.

Next up: Collingwood

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