1. Who comes in for Lin Jong?

Aside from Greater Western Sydney, the Bulldogs have probably the deepest list in the AFL. Injuries have meant coach Luke Beveridge has needed to call on 39 players this year, but despite repeated blows, the Dogs have managed to keep piling on wins. There are plenty of options to replace midfielder Jong, who broke his collarbone in Thursday night's elimination final win over West Coast. Forward Toby McLean, midfielder Lukas Webb and backman Roarke Smith were all rested from Footscray's VFL semi-final on Sunday, and appear to lead the race to face the Hawks.

2. How will their returning players fare second up?

Making five changes ahead of a final was a relatively extreme move from the Dogs, but it seemed to work. While none of the returning Tom Liberatore, Jack Macrae, Jordan  Beveridge's side ended up winning easily. All of the quintet bar Stringer came back after injury lay-offs. Sometimes getting back to play a single game is the simple part – backing it up after weeks on the outer a more difficult proposition. While an eight-day break assists the Dogs' prospects, it remains to be seen whether their inclusions for the Eagles match are better for the run, or find playing second-up a tougher ask.

3. Can Tom Boyd stand up?

The much-spoken about key forward was no more than solid against West Coast. He had 14 disposals and took five marks, but went goalless, spraying his couple of shots at goal. The Dogs are two wins away from a grand final, yet their spearhead has kicked just 10 goals from 11 games this season. They don't need him to star – but Boyd should be held up to the standards of Geelong goalkicker Tom Hawkins from his third season. Hawkins also went goalless in his first final – the qualifying final of 2009 – but slotted two majors in both the preliminary final and grand final. That sort of output would take a lot of the sting away from Boyd's detractors.

4. How do they handle Sam Mitchell?

Geelong recalled Scott Selwood for the assignment of running with the Hawthorn veteran, and while Mitchell still had 30 disposals, he was not at his damaging best. Liam Picken played on Eagle Andrew Gaff on Thursday night, but it wasn't the hardest of tagging jobs. Picken has been the Dogs' go-to man for these tasks for years, though. It will be intriguing to see whether Beveridge tries to blanket the 2008 premiership captain.

5. Will their lack of MCG experience be a factor?

The Bulldogs lost their elimination final to Adelaide at the MCG last year, and have played at the venue just twice since – beating Melbourne and Collingwood in round eight and 10 respectively. Having started the year with question marks about their ability to perform away from Etihad Stadium, the Dogs have won in four other states this year. They aren't "flat-track bullies." But playing the three-time reigning premiers on their home ground could be a bridge too far.