The Western Bulldogs will enter 2024 with high expectations.
Many pundits believe they have one of the most talented lists on paper, a list which underachieved in 2023 to narrowly miss finals.
In defence, there are plenty of questions to be asked.
Does Sam Darcy start immediately? Is Ryan Gardner an integral part of the backline? Should Alex Keath play?
The Bulldogs fans we canvassed for this assignment were somewhat divided when it came to the Dogs’ defence, with some opting for Darcy as a certain starter and others believing he should earn his spot in the team.
We feel, provided he puts on some size this off-season, that his raw ability and upside lands him a starting position.
Liam Jones is the clear No.1 key defender at The Kennel and James O’Donnell should be given time to develop in the seniors, with that pair ahead of Gardner and Keath.
Recruit Nick Coffield is expected to slide straight into the team, or at least make his way in early, while Bailey Dale and Ed Richards are absolute locks on the half-back flanks.
The midfield is basically set. Or is it?
Captain and superstar Marcus Bontempelli leads the way and is ably supported by Tom Liberatore.
Adam Treloar will be around the fringes while spending some time forward, Caleb Daniel could start forward but is equally as effective in defence or through the midfield.
Bailey Williams and Jason Johannisen could well hold down the wing slots, but there will likely be rotation through there.
The sticking point is Jack Macrae and where Luke Beveridge decides to play him. Most Doggies fans believe he is best suited in amongst the action as opposed to a periphery role across half-forward.
We feel the same way and believe Macrae is a genuine midfield starter.
Draftee Ryley Sanders is expected to have an immediate impact and Melbourne premiership player James Harmes should play plenty of senior footy.
Bailey Smith has not been considered due to the ACL injury that is expected to sideline him for the majority of next year.
The forward line looks in very good shape, led by multi-year money man Aaron Naughton and the enormously talented Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.
Periphery players like Treloar and Daniel can impact around 50, Rory Lobb is the third marking option and Cody Weightman is the small who can play taller.
The small forward depth comes in the form of Anthony Scott and Rhylee West who both will be banging down the door to start.
There are a number of positions that are still up for grabs across the 22 (plus the sub), with the likes of Taylor Duryea, Caleb Poulter, Dom Bedendo, Luke Cleary and Arthur Jones.
SEE THEIR BEST 22 BELOW
B: N.Coffield, L.Jones, J.O’Donnell
HB: B.Dale, S.Darcy, E.Richards
C: B.Williams, T.Liberatore, J.Johannisen
HF: A.Treloar, A.Naughton, C.Daniel
F: R.Lobb, J.Ugle-Hagan, C.Weightman
Fol: T.English, M.Bontempelli, J.Macrae
Int: A.Scott, R.Sanders, J.Harmes, R.West, O.Baker (sub)
EMG: T.Duryea, C.Poulter, R.Gardner, D.Bedendo
Overall thoughts: On paper, things stack up fairly well for the Bulldogs.
We’re not quite as bullish as Kane Cornes is when it comes to their list, but surely it’s good enough to play finals again.
It feels like there are some absolute locks but a lot of positions are well up for grabs.
Things have changed markedly off-field in terms of Beveridge’s coaching department which indicates there could potentially be an alteration in game plan.
But the playing personnel is largely the same, aside from a few recruits and draftees, and the fortunes of the club will rely on those who Beveridge selects each week.
There’s no doubting the talent at the Whitten Oval. They just need to put it all together so they can return to contending at the pointy end once again.
