Gun midfielder Lachie Hunter underlines the Western Bulldogs' flexibility under coach Luke Beveridge, North midfield coach Josh Drummond says.

Hunter, 21, has enjoyed a breakout season and has appeared in all 18 games, averaging 30 disposals and gathering a career-high 44 touches at 80 per cent efficiency against the Roos in round six.

Drummond said Hunter summed up the Bulldogs' strengths.

"He's had a really good year," Drummond told NMFC.com.au ahead of Saturday night's clash against the Bulldogs.

"He's played a bit on the wing and he started at half-back last week, so it highlights his and their flexibility as a team – guys can play different roles."

Despite Hunter's impressive numbers against North in their last meeting, the Roos opted to focus on their impact going the other way.

Drummond explained the Roos' philosophy when deciding whether to tag an opponent during a match.

"The thing you're weighing up is how much time do you put into one player versus how's the game going, and do you change it if things are going OK from a game point of view," he said.

"For example, Hunter was really good for them last time we played them but for the most part of the game, it was on our terms and we were able to get the result we were after.

"If the actual game is going OK for you then one player having a good game may not be as big a deal."

The Bulldogs' loss to Geelong last Friday night was compounded by injuries to key midfielders Tom Liberatore (ankle) and Jack Macrae (hamstring).

They entered that game having made five forced changes, with Matthew Boyd (Achilles), Dale Morris (hamstring), Matt Suckling (Achilles), Mitch Wallis (broken leg) and Jack Redpath (knee reconstruction) all struck down against St Kilda the week prior.

Experienced backs Boyd and Morris look set to return against the Roos, while Suckling has not been ruled out.

Drummond said he was expecting the Bulldogs to play a strong brand regardless of the inclusions.

"Even though they had a few injuries … guys like 'Bont' [Marcus Bontempelli], (Jason) Johannisen has had a big year, (Shane) Biggs has given them real strong run and drive off half-back, and they've got (Luke) Dahlhaus back now who is a quality player that can go forward and through the middle," Drummond explained.

"Their big strength this year has been their ability to replace guys and have them come in and play the same way."

The ruck has caused a few worries for Beveridge, with the Dogs' coach saying veteran ruckman Will Minson was in the frame for selection despite playing just one senior match this season.

In the absence of the injured Tom Campbell, Jordan Roughead has become their first-choice ruckman with Tom Boyd pinch-hitting when required, but they could also turn to Minson given North's height advantage.

The bigger concern for Drummond, however, was the Bulldogs' superior ball-winning ability, with Beveridge's men the only team to average more than 400 disposals this season (420.3 per match).

"One thing the Bulldogs have been really effective at is with 'Roughy' in the ruck, who's a really good athlete and follows up, he doesn't necessarily get his hands on the ball but they've still been a really strong clearance and contested ball team," Drummond said.

"They back themselves regardless of whether they've got a dominant ruckman in there or not.

"Whether it's Minson and Roughead, or mainly just Roughead and Boyd, it doesn't change the way we go about it."