If Aaron Naughton improves his goalkicking, he could become the most dominant forward in the game. Photo: AFL MEDIA

WESTERN BULLDOGS
2021 record: 18 wins, 8 losses (2nd)

THE INS
Tim O’Brien (Hawthorn), Sam Darcy (Oakleigh Chargers), Arthur Jones (Claremont), Luke Cleary (Sandringham Dragons), Charlie Parker (Sturt), Robbie McComb (Footscray), Cody Raak (Western Jets)

THE OUTS
Easton Wood (retired), Patrick Lipinski (Collingwood), Lewis Young (Carlton), Lin Jong (retired), Sam Lloyd (retired), Will Hayes (delisted), Ben Cavarra (delisted)

THE STRENGTHS
The Bulldogs are once again one of the AFL’s premiership favourites for a reason – they’re a damn good team. This fact was underscored during their 2021 finals run when they channelled their 2016 selves to make it all the way to another grand final from outside the top four. Their wins against Brisbane and Port Adelaide in particular last September were absolutely extraordinary for very different reasons. Against the Lions, they clinched an epic one-point result at the Gabba to send Brisbane tumbling out in straight sets, and a week later they obliterated the well-rested Power at Adelaide Oval by 12 goals in stunning fashion. They also found themselves 19 points up in the third quarter of the premiership decider against Melbourne, so they weren’t doing a lot wrong (before the red-and-blue tsunami rolled in). Their midfield remains the envy of most of the AFL. It is absolutely stacked, with Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae, Bailey Smith, Tom Liberatore, Adam Treloar, Josh Dunkley and Lachie Hunter among its ranks. On differentials, the Dogs were ranked first in the AFL for clearances, third for disposals, third for contested possessions and sixth for tackles. The flow-on effect saw them not only come in third for total inside 50s, third for marks inside 50 (on differentials) and fourth for goals per inside 50, but also first for fewest inside 50s conceded. It’s little wonder then that last year they had the second-best attack in the AFL as well as the fourth-ranked defence. Down back, they’ve got a couple of All-Australian gems in Caleb Daniel and Bailey Dale, and up forward they have got one of the most exciting young talents in the game in the form of “The Astro-Naught” Aaron Naughton. And the full force of their scoring might was on show for all to see when they smashed North Melbourne and St Kilda by 128 and 111 points respectively.

THE WEAKNESSES
For all the positives surrounding the Bulldogs, and there are plenty, they are looking a little brittle in their key position stocks both up forward and down back. They head into the season with Alex Keath (shin), Ryan Gardner (quad), Tim O’Brien (hamstring), Josh Bruce (knee) and Sam Darcy (foot) all either under injury clouds or ruled out for significant periods. While Naughton, Bontempelli and Cody Weightman were the driving forces behind the Bulldogs’ attacking potency last year, Bruce (48) was their leading goalkicker despite missing the last six games of the season. His absence will leave a gaping hole in the Dogs’ forward line for much of the season considering he ruptured his ACL in Round 21 last year. Coach Luke Beveridge admitted after his side’s practice match loss to Brisbane last week that he will have to get creative to cover Bruce’s loss. If Naughton doesn’t enjoy adequate support in attack from the likes of Stefan Martin, Zaine Cordy and/or Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, it could create a big problem for the Bulldogs. On differentials last year, the Dogs were last in the league for contested marks and 16th for marks. It was essentially Naughton or bust, which is not really a healthy way to go about things, especially with Bruce not expected to ride shotgun until much later in the season. Also, the manner in which they got completely overrun in the grand final would have to remain a huge concern. If the Bulldogs want to win the premiership this year, there’s a fair chance that all roads will once again run through Melbourne. And after giving up 16 of the last 17 goals in approximately 40 minutes of game time last time they met, there is absolutely no doubt that their resilience under extreme heat will have to improve markedly if they are to face the Demons, or any legitimate premiership threat, in the finals again.

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ONE TO WATCH
It’s a huge ‘if’, but if Naughton can improve his goalkicking to about 65 per cent accuracy next season, he could go close to being the most dominant forward in the game. We already know what a beast he is when it comes to contested pack marking, and he’s already a huge focal point in attack for his team. But the thing that has so far prevented the 22-year-old from reaching superstardom is his goalkicking. Last year he kicked 47.40 at a measly 54 per cent, taking his career rate to 56 per cent. But if he has 100 shots on goal this year and converts 65 of them, not only will he go close to winning the Coleman, but he will be in line for All-Australian honours as well and a new star will well and truly be born.

UNDER THE PUMP
Mitch Wallis might’ve signed a one-year deal to remain at Whitten Oval this year, but the former father-son selection, who was stripped of the vice-captaincy after just one year and omitted from the leadership group, has an uphill battle to earn another deal for 2023. He has been overtaken in the small forward pecking order by Cody Weightman, Mitch Hannan, Laitham Vandermeer and Anthony Scott, while Jason Johannisen’s transition to the forward line has only made things harder for Wallis too. After a really good 2020, Wallis was banished to the fringes of the team again, managing only six games in 2021 and missing out on his second grand final with the Dogs. He is going to have to either work his backside off, or make the most of opportunities when/if injuries arise to extend his career with the Bulldogs into a 13th year.

BEST 23
B: Caleb Daniel, Alex Keath, Josh Schache
HB: Taylor Duryea, Tim O’Brien, Bailey Dale
C: Bailey Smith, Tom Liberatore, Adam Treloar
HF: Jason Johannisen, Zaine Cordy, Mitch Hannan
F: Cody Weightman, Aaron Naughton, Stefan Martin
R: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae
Inter: Josh Dunkley, Lachie Hunter, Bailey Williams, Roarke Smith, Laitham Vandermeer
Emerg: Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Anthony Scott, Hayden Crozier

Ugle-Hagan sounds like he is still a way off securing himself a regular spot in the senior team, but with Martin on his last legs, it might not be long before the former No.1 pick is called upon more regularly as the season unfolds. Cordy has been experimented with up forward in a bid to offer support for Naughton, so don’t be surprised if the defender is used in that role more often than not. O’Brien looks earmarked to assume the intercepting role in defence vacated by the retired Easton Wood, and the Dogs have decent depth with the likes of Scott, Hayden Crozier, Gardner, Riley Garcia (syndesmosis) and Lachie McNeil all set to ensure competition for spots is hot – and we all know how much Beveridge loves mixing things up at the selection table. Bruce and Toby McLean are not expected to be available until well into the second half of the season as they continue their recoveries from ACL injuries, so have been left out of the team for now.