westernbulldogs.com.au looks at the hot topics and discussion points to emerge from the Club's final preseason match against Collingwood.

JJ's flying start

Outside the kennel's four walls in 2015, much of the conversation about the Bulldogs' defence centred around the stellar years of eventual All Australian's Easton Wood and Bob Murphy, but by the numbers, Jason Johannisen was an equally pivotal player in the dashing and daring Dogs half-backline. While he might have gone somewhat under the radar last year, the speedy defender looks to have picked up right where he left off in 2015.  Johannisen collected a game-high 33 disposals at close to 82% efficiency on Saturday, and his ability to move the ball up the ground quickly sets up the type of one on one contests that the Dogs forwards love. Johannisen has been in the Bulldogs's best in both NAB Challenge matches he's started, and if he keeps it up, he might soon be the Bulldogs back that people are talking about.

Selection headaches

It's a problem that Luke Beveridge and his coaching panel will be pleased to have, squeezing 30-plus players into 22 come round one. With the exception of Roarke and Clay Smith, both recovering from knee injuries, the Bulldogs have played their entire list through the NAB Challenge, with a host of new faces pushing their claim to break into the side that played in last year's Elimination Final. Draftee defender Marcus Adams' solid performance on Travis Cloke on Saturday won't make it any easier, at least down back. Adams had a game high seven one-percenters on the weekend in the absence of Joel Hamling and Fletcher Roberts.

Ruck division

It's been a talking point all summer - who get's the number one ruck spot in round one? With the NAB Challenge series complete, the question is still no easier to answer. Will Minson missed Saturday's clash against Collingwood with a hamstring strain, while Tom Campbell left the field before half time with a rolled ankle, Jordan Roughead was best afield in Footscray's VFL practice match win on Saturday afternoon and Tom Boyd was impressive when on the ball against the Magpies. Speaking post match coach Luke Beveridge indicated there was still much to play out before the season opener, and the competition for the round one spot was still very much alive.

Boyd's big day

Speaking of Boyd. He's only 20-years-old, and it's only the NAB Challenge, but Dogs fans would have been enthused by what they saw from the big man on the weekend.  Boyd started in the ruck, before going forward, and had more opportunities than his final three goal tally suggests.  His towering pack mark midway through the first term, and a game high five marks inside 50m, are the kind of acts that typified his impressive junior career, and something that will add another dimension to the Dog's forward line as he continues to establish himself at senior level.