Best 22 – Round 1
B: Shane Biggs, Marcus Adams, Aaron Naughton
HB: Hayden Crozier, Zaine Cordy, Matt Suckling
C: Jason Johannisen, Tom Liberatore, Toby McLean
HF: Lachie Hunter, Jackson Trengove, Tory Dickson
F: Bailey Dale, Easton Wood, Luke Dahlhaus
Foll: Jordan Roughead, Jack Macrae, Marcus Bontempelli
I/C: Bailey Williams, Josh Dunkley, Caleb Daniel, Liam Picken
Emerg: Billy Gowers, Mitch Honeychurch, Lin Jong, Josh Schache
Fans' season preview: Western Bulldogs
2017 best and fairest top three
1. Marcus Bontempelli
2. Jason Johannisen
3. Jack Macrae
Injury list
Veteran stopper Dale Morris appears to be the only player definitely unavailable for round one after he partially tore his ACL at training in February. A mid-season return is likely for the 35-year-old. Star playmaker Liam Picken could struggle for the season opener against Greater Western Sydney because of a concussion sustained in the JLT Community Series.
The big questions
Can the Dogs find some cohesion up forward?
Efficiency up forward has plagued the Dogs in recent seasons, and it hasn't improved if their two pre-season hit-outs are anything to go by. They only went at 48 per cent in the win over Hawthorn, and then it plummeted to 35 per cent in the loss to Collingwood. A fit and firing Tory Dickson will help fix the problem.
Is Easton Wood a viable option in attack?
Needing to meet Luke Beveridge's flexibility mantra, the All Australian defender spent the off-season training with the forwards and will start up front in round one. Looked promising during the JLT series.
Where do young key forwards Tom Boyd and Josh Schache fit in?
Luke Beveridge has been keen to employ a taller attack, but the recruiting failure of Travis Cloke, Boyd's form and health issues and Jack Redpath's knee reconstruction have seen the Dogs mostly field a smaller forward set-up in recent times. Boyd didn't feature in the JLT series, while former Lion Schache had minimal impact in his game and a half. The expectations on the early draft picks are high, but they still have time on their side to meet them.
Josh Schache joined the Dogs during last year's NAB AFL Trade Period. Picture: AFL Photos
Check out every club's season preview
Look for…
Toby McLean to become an A-grader. After starting his career as a smart forward with the knack of taking a hanger, the 22-year-old is now an integral cog in the side's midfield rotation. The fourth-year Dog's mix of class and courage was evident during the back half of last season and he was prominent during the JLT series.
Who they play
An easier draw is the one consolation from an underwhelming premiership defence last season, with the Dogs only playing 2017 finalists West Coast and Port Adelaide twice. They'll travel interstate five times, including two trips to Perth and Adelaide. The Dogs will also expand their commitment to Ballarat by playing two matches at Mars Stadium.
Fantasy cash cow
Luke Dahlhaus ($624,000) appears great value as a midfielder/forward despite an average return of just 88.5 last season. If the 25-year-old spends a bit more time in the middle than 2017, he'll once again boost his scores to be classed as a top-six forward in Fantasy.
Sudden impact
Taken with the No.9 pick in last year's NAB AFL Draft, key defender Aaron Naughton is very likely to play in round one. The West Australian, who only turned 18 in December, has impressed all off-season with his contested marking and positioning against more seasoned opponents.
Draftee Aaron Naughton has looked at home in defence for the Dogs. Picture: AFL Photos
It's crunch time for…
Tom Liberatore. Out of contract at season's end, the 25-year-old is coming off an underwhelming 2017 campaign that saw him dropped to the VFL for a month. The gifted playmaker has shown signs across the pre-season he could be returning to his brilliant best.
Pressure rating on the coach
The Beveridge is cool as ice. Winning a premiership in his second season earned Luke Beveridge a contract until the end of 2020. It also gave the 47-year-old plenty of breathing space after his side's poor flag defence.
The 2017 habit the Bulldogs must kick…
Is an inability to kick straight in front of the big sticks. The Dogs finished last season bottom for goal accuracy with a paltry 43.1 strike rate, well below Melbourne's League-leading 54.2 per cent. Having sharpshooter Tory Dickson available for the whole season would help.
The Bulldogs will have a good year if…
Jackson Trengove continues his good form. The versatile big man has impressed since arriving from Port Adelaide, with his competiveness, physicality and mobility in the ruck and up forward adhering to the coach's flexibility mantra. The 27-year-old also provides strong competition for spots among the club's talls and can play down back if needed.
They’re in trouble if…
Marcus Bontempelli gets injured. Not only is the superstar the Dogs' best midfielder, he's also their best forward when stationed in attack. Having only missed four games through injury since his debut in 2014, the red, white and blue faithful will hoping his luck with injuries continues.
Pass mark
After failing to recapture the hunger that was the cornerstone of their 2016 premiership triumph last year, anything but a return to September would be considered a wasted season. There's hype emanating out of Whitten Oval that the Dogs have rediscovered their hard edge and are primed to redeem themselves.
AFL.com.au predicted ladder finish: 9th
Player Ratings star
After hovering around the top five for most of the past two seasons, Marcus Bontempelli ended 2017 in 11th place with 533.8 ranking points. If the Dogs regain their premiership hunger, expect 'The Bont' to zoom back up the standings.
