THE Western Bulldogs are taking heart from the fact they were written off as flag chances at the same time last season, premiership forward Lachie Hunter says.

After defeating Carlton at the MCG on Sunday the Bulldogs sit in 11th spot with eight wins and eight losses – one win and eight per cent outside the top eight.

After round 17 in 2016 they sat in third spot with 12 wins and four losses although few pundits thought the Dogs were a realistic premiership chance.

The Bulldogs eventually finished the home and away season in seventh, before winning the flag after a stunning September. 

"Even last year, at this time of the year, we were still a little bit off the top teams, so I think we can some take some great inspiration from that," Hunter told SEN.

"People said we wouldn't have a chance at this time last year and we saw what happened."

The Bulldogs won three of the last six home and away games and then each of the four finals to win its first flag since 1954.

Hunter described Sunday's debut by defender Lewis Young as one of the best he had ever seen.

The 18-year-old had 21 disposals and took six intercept marks against Carlton.

"He seemed like he knew exactly how the game was going," Hunter said.

He said Jake Stringer would miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, but was uncertain whether Travis Cloke or Clay Smith would replace him for the game against the Gold Coast in Cairns.