The season so far
While the Bulldogs sit fourth with a respectable 6-4 record, their best performance didn't come until the 40-point thrashing of St Kilda in round 10. Injuries have once again plagued them, but so has wayward goal-kicking, inconsistent performances and player form fluctuations. Did the win over the Saints kick-start the Dogs' flag defence?
Quarters won: 22
Players used: 34
Yet to play: Kieran Collins, Declan Hamilton, Mitch Honeychurch, Fergus Greene, Patrick Lipinski, Lewis Young, Josh Prudden, Roarke Smith, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Brad Lynch, Tristan Tweedie
Stats leaders
Disposals: Luke Dahlhaus (273)
Marks: Easton Wood (60)
Goals: Jake Stringer (19)
Tackles: Tom Liberatore (68)
Metres gained: Jason Johannisen (avg 507.5)
The Dogs sit 18th for goal accuracy at just 41 per cent, well below the League average of 49.9.
Best win
Round 10 against St Kilda. After a scrappy first half, the Dogs got the balance right between defence and attack to record their biggest win of the season.
One that got away
Round six against Greater Western Sydney. Kicking 9.19 in the two-point loss to their arch rivals was telling for the Dogs.
Tom Boyd has had his moments for the Bulldogs this year. Picture: AFL Photos
Best and fairest leader: Luke Dahlhaus
Surprise packet: Lin Jong
Who's struggling: Shane Biggs, Matthew Boyd, Zaine Cordy, Tom Liberatore, Fletcher Roberts
Missing in action
Stewart Crameri: The former Bomber's season is already over after hip surgery. Injury and poor form has limited the out-of-contract forward to just two appearances this season, after missing last year with a doping suspension.
The concern
Slow starts have hampered the Dogs, as they've only won two opening quarters so far this season. Inefficiency up forward was a problem last year and it's continued to be a frustration in 2017. And with star players regularly being dropped, the Dogs have had to deny they are suffering from a premiership hangover.
Pass mark
After winning the flag from seventh last year, the Dogs should settle for nothing less than a top-four finish.
The coach
Luke Beveridge has continued to chop and change his line-up in search of the perfect formula. Premiership stars haven't been spared the axe, with eight already dropped to the VFL this season. A taller forward set-up implemented earlier in the year appears to have been superseded by a smaller and more unpredictable attack.
How the best 22 has changed
With one of the deepest lists in the AFL, the selection door at Whitten Oval is an ever-revolving one, so it's hard to predict when Luke Beveridge will settle on his best 22. Form and injuries will be major factors, but also a player's ability to use the ball efficiently. Wallis, Dickson and Roughead come into the side after long injury lay-offs. After missing out on the flag, Jong, Adams, Williams and Dale have all grabbed their opportunities. Will ageing bodies allow Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd to get through another arduous season?
B: Bailey Williams, Marcus Adams, Dale Morris
HB: Robert Murphy, Easton Wood, Jason Johannisen
C: Liam Picken, Mitch Wallis, Lachy Hunter
HF: Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Boyd, Jack Macrae
F: Clay Smith, Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson
R: Jordan Roughead, Marcus Bontempelli, Tom Liberatore
I/C: Bailey Dale, Matt Suckling, Caleb Daniel, Lin Jong
• Who did we tip for your club's best 22 in round one?
In from pre-season best 22: Lin Jong, Bailey Dale, Bailey Williams, Marcus Adams, Mitch Wallis, Jordan Roughead, Tory Dickson
Out from pre-season best 22: Stewart Crameri, Travis Cloke, Shane Biggs, Matthew Boyd, Toby McLean, Fletcher Roberts, Zaine Cordy.
Bulldog fans: what's your mid-season verdict?
Share your views via the form below and we'll publish the best responses on the morning of the Dogs' next match.
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