In a nutshell
Written off at several times this season with a near-crippling injury toll, the Dogs kept the faith and defied the naysayers to break the game's longest premiership drought and give the club's lone 1954 cup some long overdue company. 

What we said in the pre-season 
The AFL.com.au experts were split on whether the Dogs could even make back-to-back finals series, and not one tipped them to be premiers. The jury was still out on this exciting, but developing side. 

What worked
Unwavering belief. When the football world said the cumulative effect of numerous injuries would eventually wear them down, the Dogs never lost faith in their system and capabilities. Luke Beveridge's systematic and communal approach was perfectly tailored for such an even group. 

What failed
The Dogs' inefficiency up forward plagued them at times this season, but in the end they managed to kick enough goals to win the flag. Some stability in the key defensive posts was also a worry at times. 

Overall rating
A+ When you've overcome the adversity the Dogs did this season, Luke Beveridge and his boys are the duxes of the League 

The coach
A premiership coach in just his second year at the helm makes Luke Beveridge arguably the best coach in the competition. The 46-year-old has proven he's an astute tactician, but also a brilliant man-manager, and these attributes were rewarded with back-to-back AFLCA Coach of the Year awards. Locked away until the end of the 2020 season. 

The leaders 
A season-ending knee injury to Robert Murphy in round three saw Easton Wood assume the mantle and the star defender did it with aplomb. Marcus Bontempelli showed he is a future captain, impressing when Wood was injured.

MVP
Marcus Bontempelli: For a player in just his third season, the 20-year-old is arguably the club's best player. His ability to win the footy on the inside and out sees him have an impact on most games he plays. Finished equal eighth in the Brownlow Medal and should claim the club's best and fairest. 

Surprise packet
Marcus Adams: Taken with pick 35 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, the 23-year-old key defender was a revelation. Held his own against some of the competition's best forwards, before a foot injury prematurely ended his season in round 15. 

Get excited
Bailey Williams: While he may have only played six games in his debut season, the South Australian midfielder showed enough to suggest the Dogs have another emerging star on their hands. The ball magnet is tough in the contest, poised and a good user of the footy. 

Disappointment
Jake Stringer: After being named All Australian in just his third season, the 22-year-old never really got going and was dropped late in the season. Still only young, but he needs to recapture his consistency. 

Best win
Grand Final: Western Bulldogs 13.11 (89) def Sydney Swans 10.7 (67) @ MCG

When you break a 62-year premiership drought, it's not only the best win of the season, but the club's biggest triumph since the 1954 flag. 

Low point
In a season that was plagued by injuries at times, it's hard to go past the round 18 loss to St Kilda. Mitch Wallis' horrific broken leg traumatised the club, while a season-ending knee injury to Jack Redpath was also a devastating blow. 

The big questions
• Can the Dogs back it up?
• Where does Travis Cloke fit in?
• Has Tom Boyd's starring Grand Final performance announced his arrival as a player?

Season in a song
We can't be beaten, Rose Tattoo 

Premiership window

 

What we say: Did someone say dynasty?

Who's done?
Retirements: Jed Adcock 

Delistings:  Luke Goetz

Unsigned free agents: Matthew Boyd, Will Minson

How should they approach trade and draft period?
A deal to bring Travis Cloke to Whitten Oval reportedly only needs to be formalised in the trade period. A skillful midfielder and a developing ruckman wouldn't go astray either. 

Early call for 2017
With such a young, deep and impressive list, the Dogs will go into next season with the confidence they can go back-to-back. Beveridge knows his side will need to keep evolving if it's to lift the cup again and will draw on his experience of coaching amateur side St Bedes Mentone to three straight flags.