Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge said the club won't alter its lineup despite the absence of Carlton spearhead Harry McKay in Friday's contest.
The Bulldogs are set to welcome back key defender Liam Jones from a hamstring injury, pairing up with Rory Lobb and Buku Khamis in the back half.
James O'Donnell could be added to the lineup after overcoming a fractured jaw from Round 1 after being made available.
But as the Blues confirmed on Thursday morning, McKay, due to "personal matters", won't play alongside a makeshift forward line, which could include Charlie Curnow, Jack Silvagni and Brodie Kemp as the marking targets.
"He is (likely). He's had some pretty solid training sessions in preparation for his return," Beveridge said of Jones.
"He's one that's likely to come in... we usually pick our team based on how we feel we should represent.
"We feel the Blues, and their template at the moment is to have representation as key position areas either end of the ground.
MORE: How Michael Voss, Carlton will combat Sam Darcy
"With their timber, even with McKay out, it just makes us think about it rather than influence it too much.
"But we don't want to play four key defenders. That's not what we're after."
Beveridge said it would be difficult to pull Khamis or Lobb from the senior side after impressive performances in Round 2, which could leave O'Donnell on the sidelines.
The Bulldogs coach was also buoyed by Aaron Naughton's presence in the ruck, chopping out Tim English while Sam Darcy had the hot hand up forward.
Naughton was lively in the ruck against Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox, providing immense pressure once the football hit the ground.
"For Nauts to go into the centre bounce, help with clearance, help keep it in there, give us a spurt between 8-10 minutes, it was important," Beveridge said.
"Depending on how tall your team is, and your resources at either end, a key forward or key back can chip in."
Looking ahead to the Carlton clash, Beveridge, given McKay's absence and the availability of talls in defence, could look to Lobb throughout the contest to pinch-hit in the ruck to gain ascendancy, playing a two-prong offence against the solitary Tom De Koning.
The Blues have used Patrick Cripps in recent weeks.
