With just over a week until the beginning of the 2016 AFL premiership season, it’s the question on every Bulldogs fan’s mind: Can the Dogs sustain last year’s momentum?
Fox Footy’s experts have weighed in to debate the issues and discuss how they see the new season playing out.
The List
David King: Their list is rated 10th, which is a little bit low considering the star factor on the list and their draw is rated 12th, so there's real opportunity for them to get up and running.
The ins and outs - Suckling in, which fits their mold perfectly in being a kicker, and they really haven't lost a lost, all by choice. They've got a couple of aging stars in Murphy, Boyd and those guys, but they haven't tipped over just yet.
Gerard Healy: Their ranking of 10th belies the fact that they have a lot of talent that has yet to be put on public display. I think they've got a fantastic list. They've done as well as any club at recruting over the last few years. They are poised to have a fantastic era.
Jonathan Brown: Exciting times, I agree. They were probably ahead of schedule last year. a lot of us had the Western Bulldogs finishing at the bottom of the ladder and they came out and were the most exciting team.
But, a good season has been handed to them on a platter, the first seven games at Etihad Stadium. It's a big advantage for them playing at Etihad Stadium. They play a very fast ball movement style of game, so that sets them up for a good year.
Have you all got them in the 8?
Gerard Healy: I'd be surprised if they slid too far at all. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if they were supercharged.
Dermott Brereton: I've got them outside but still winning a reasoable amount of games - 10,11, maybe even 12.
Jonathan Brown: I think with the first seven games at Etihad, they've got a pretty soft draw and a light travel schedule, and that just gets them into the top eight for me.
David King: I'm a bit a with Derm (Brereton), there's exposed ways to beat them. And on the back of that, with their senior core being so good last year, if they were to come off a fraction, and with a hole in that forward line now I've got them out of the eight but winning 10-plus games.
