UNDERSTUDIES need to be ready to perform lead roles at a moment's notice, and the Western Bulldogs have two very capable - though very young - replacements for suspended ruckman Will Minson.

Usual back-up ruckman Jordan Roughead, 21, and newly elevated rookie Tom Campbell, 20, are expected to share the load against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

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The circumstances are less than ideal, but Roughead feels better prepared than at any other point in his brief AFL career to assume the No. 1 ruck mantle (albeit temporarily while Minson serves his one-match ban).

After 17 AFL games in his previous three seasons, Roughead has played every game this year bar one (missing the round eight clash with Gold Coast in Darwin due to a minor calf complaint).

Roughead's football education will be fast-tracked on Saturday when he squares off against former Bulldogs teammate and friend Ben Hudson.

Roughead is four centimetres taller than the formidable Hudson, but concedes five kilograms, 12 years in age, and six seasons and 123 games of AFL experience.

When Roughead arrived at Whitten Oval from Ballarat at the end of 2008, Hudson took him into his home for a week, and was Roughead's club-appointed mentor for his first two seasons. Hudson's departure at the end of last season has also enabled Roughead to establish himself as an AFL player.

"Big 'Huddo' - 'The People's Beard' - he was great for me," Roughead told westernbulldogs.com.au last week.

"He welcomed me in when I first moved down. I spent most of my time working with Huddo and Will, and John Barnes, who was our ruck coach for a while."

But there will be no sentiment on Saturday afternoon in a contest that could prove crucial to the result.

Roughead is reaping the benefits of the first full pre-season of his career. (Previous pre-season campaigns were shortened by shoulder reconstructions.) He managed to set personal bests in the gym and a time trial at Princes Park.

"For me, it's about trying to put on weight and learning to carry it," said Roughead, who now weighs 100 kilograms, about 15kgs more than when he was drafted.

"It might take a few more years yet because I still need to get stronger and fitter, but I feel a lot better on the field than I did previously."

Roughead has also shown he is capable of playing both forward and back.

It has also helped that Minson is in career-best form.

"It means that when I get a run in the ruck, Will has usually worn the opposition ruckmen down a bit," he said. "He only needs a chop-out for about 10 minutes a quarter, so you need to be versatile."

Roughead is thriving under the tutelage of Steven King, the Bulldogs midfield coach.

"'Kingy' has been terrific," he said. "He's worked with me on gaining and maintaining the dominant position, and not to show your back in the ruck. It's helped me get my hand on the footy even when I haven't been in a great position."

"I feel like I've made some big steps and hopefully I can work my way towards spending more time in the ruck."

Roughead has already been touted a future leader at the Kennel. McCartney believes he and fellow young talls Liam Jones and Ayce Cordy will be key pillars in the Bulldogs' future.

Roughead and Cordy are longtime mates, having been teammates in an under-12 Victorian country basketball team. They were drafted together and shared a house until only recently, when Roughead moved in with his older brother Joel.

During pre-season the two mates were fighting for the same spot, which went to Roughead, although both are now in the team.

"It's great to be able to get out there together and keep pushing each other," Roughead said.

"And we've got (ruckman) Tommy Campbell coming through, and we're all pushing Will and each other, and the team can only benefit."

Asked about the prospect of playing with Cordy for the next decade, Roughead quipped: "We're more worried about our next game."

And what a big game it promises to be.