WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is confident his side can "climb quickly" back into contention despite failing to make the finals for a second straight season.
The Dogs snapped a 62-year drought when they won the 2016 premiership, but finished 10th last season with 11 wins, and sit 13th on this year's ladder with eight victories ahead of their final-round meeting with reigning premiers Richmond at the MCG on Saturday afternoon.
A wretched run with injury compounded with form slumps and the uncertainty surrounding a host of unrestricted free agents has haunted the Bulldogs' season, but Beveridge believes being active in the upcoming trade period, supported by the return of injured players, will accelerate his side next year.
"We're going through a cycle and a period of change, and next year I anticipate we'll inject some experience into the team," Beveridge said on Friday morning.
"We don't want to go on a long, progressive cycle of climbing again.
"We want to climb quickly.
"There's good indication in this last month that we can climb quickly.
"We just need to [ensure] we complement our current group with some new players over the off-season and get some players back from injury, and who knows what can happen next year?"
Having continually fielded an inexperienced side, the Bulldogs have managed to partially salvage a second-straight disappointing year by winning their past three games.
A silver lining to the club's extensive injury list – which includes over 10 of their best 22 – has been the opportunities given to younger players to develop.
Josh Dunkley, Ed Richards, Billy Gowers, Aaron Naughton, Bailey Williams and Patrick Lipinski are senior-side regulars who have all played less than 50 games.
"It's difficult to speak about our side being settled because we're a very inexperienced team," Beveridge said.
"In all 21 games we've played, we've been younger than the [opposition] team and less experienced in games played.
"Ed Richards and Aaron Naughton … to perform to the level they have in their first season has been outstanding.
"That's why I keep praising our players … when you think of what our players have been able to do, to win eight games with this demographic and makeup of our side, the players have done an outstanding job."
Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis and Jordan Roughead are all out of contract, and their futures at Whitten Oval remains uncertain.
Dahlhaus suffered a season-ending ankle injury in round 18 and has been linked to several Victorian clubs, including Geelong. Beveridge seemed uncertain where the premiership midfielder will be next year.
"We know there's interest in the competition for our free agents," Beveridge admitted.
"Luke's a restricted free agent, so hopefully things will work out. There's still some hope that Dahlhaus might be here next year."
Beveridge was full of praise for Shane Biggs, who announced his retirement on Thursday.
Biggs, 27, played 63 career games, including the Dogs' 2016 Grand Final win over Sydney.
"Shane's such a great person and he's obviously a very creative and different individual," Beveridge said.
"Shane will always be remembered for his key and outstanding performances for our club, particularly the 2016 season.
"Shane's decided his time is up at AFL level and he wants to move on and either focus on other things or free himself up and go on a bit of an adventure.”
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have regained defender Bailey Williams ahead of their clash against Richmond, while Beveridge ensured vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli will play after finishing last weekend's game under obvious duress.
Bontempelli failed to train on Friday morning, but was seen engaging with fans – taking photographs and signing autographs – during the club's final public training session of the season.
The Dogs, who have won their past four encounters with the Tigers, will play at the MCG for just the second time this season on Saturday.
