Best 22
B: Easton Wood, Jordan Roughead, Dale Morris
HB: Jason Johannisen, Michael Talia, Robert Murphy
C: Nathan Hrovat, Mitch Wallis, Jarrad Grant
HF: Stewart Crameri, Tom Boyd, Luke Dahlhaus
F: Liam Picken, Jack Redpath, Jake Stringer
Foll:Will Minson, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae
I/C: Shane Biggs, Matthew Boyd, Tory Dickson
Sub: Lin Jong
 
Health of the list
Tom Liberatore's season-ending knee injury is a massive blow but, besides that, the Dogs are in pretty good shape. Recruit Shane Biggs is nursing a hamstring complaint while father-son acquisition Zaine Cordy will miss at least another month after a shoulder reconstruction.
 
The big questions
How will the Dogs cope with losing over 800 games of experience at the end of 2014?
With Ryan Griffen, Adam Cooney, Shaun Higgins and Daniel Giansiracusa all departing for one reason or another, it will be up to the Dogs' impressive array of youngsters to find the staying power to endure a whole season. Signs are positive early with Mitch Wallis, Luke Dahlhaus, Marcus Bontempelli and Jack Macrae leading the way in the pre-season.
 
What impact will Luke Beveridge have in his first season at Whitten Oval?
The early signs are good, with the club seemingly a happier place than last season and the players embracing their new mentor's attacking game-plan across the NAB Challenge.
 
Who will step up to help in the key defensive posts?
With skipper Bob Murphy believing there is only room for one other tall next to Jordan Roughead and Dale Morris, an interesting battle looms between the club's inexperienced and so far under-performing trio of Michael Talia, Fletcher Roberts and Joel Hamling.
 
Summer standout: Marcus Bontempelli
The hype around Bontempelli has only intensified after his impressive pre-season form. Despite adding plenty of muscle to his imposing 192cm frame, the midfielder has lost none of his agility or pace. His former coach Brendan McCartney tried to temper expectations but Luke Beveridge won't be constraining one of the AFL's brightest young stars.
 
Fantasy cash cow
The summer standout is also a fantasy bargain, with Bontempelli ($392,000) a very popular option as a fourth or fifth forward. His performance against Collingwood in the NAB Challenge would have only added to his popularity with the 'The Bont' recording the highest Fantasy score of 144 points.
 
Sudden impact
He may be the League's shortest player at 167cm, but draftee Caleb Daniel has already shown in the NAB Challenge that he has a bright future. The helmet-wearing midfielder looked assured, knows how to find the football and uses it well. The fact he's played senior SANFL footy over the past two seasons should hold him in good stead.

Caleb Daniel in action during the NAB Challenge. Picture: AFL Media

It's crunch time for …
For a top five pick Jarrad Grant hasn't lived up to expectation in his six seasons at Whitten Oval. The slightly built forward has explosive pace and is strong overhead, but he hasn't been able to master consistency and intensity. His NAB Challenge form has been encouraging, with Luke Beveridge's new game-plan of fast ball movement aiding his cause.
 
Pivotal match
There is no more important match than the opening round encounter with West Coast. On their home deck and coming off an impressive NAB Challenge campaign, the Dogs desperately need to show their long-suffering supporters that their pre-season form wasn't a flash in the pan. With their membership one of the lowest outside the expansion clubs, a winning start to the season should give a boost to club's bottom line as well its confidence.
 
The Western Bulldogs will have a good year if …
The club's plethora of young talent continue to embrace the new coach's attacking game-plan, continue their steady development and can somehow run out an arduous AFL season. If they can match last year's return of seven wins with the competition's third youngest and third least experienced list, they should be happy with their efforts.
 
AFL.com.au consensus predicted ladder finish: 16th

Premiership clock: The Bulldogs are building but they are still a fair few hours away from a premiership assault.