Akermanis, 32, said it was the direction the Dogs were headed that initially enticed him to select his new home, knowing he had just three years remaining in his playing career.
Now, the club is entering the season the triple premiership player predicted would be the one where flag readiness would be at its strongest, and his opinion has not changed.
"I knew when I came here that the third year would be the most exciting part of it because there is so much talent," Akermanis told afl.com.au.
"I always thought the two years might develop into something special in the third year, knowing that would be my time here.
"For me, from my point of view, that's what I saw looking ahead and when it was a decision to make between this club and other clubs, that is what swayed me more than anything."
He might have first predicted the Dogs would be within "the window of winning" in late 2006, but he's even more convinced now after a summer spent with the club's new head of physical fitness, Bill Davoren.
He also believes some emerging Bulldogs are set to lead the charge towards a possible premiership after coming of age over the last few years.
"There's a massive base that Bill has been building," he said.
"A lot of guys have had big pre-seasons. Shaun Higgins has been terrific from where he has come from. He would be very motivated from last year, having not played a lot of footy.
"I've really been impressed by him and how his work ethic has come up, and you can see it in his running.
"I look forward to seeing the usual suspects playing well but also the guys that keep knocking on the door like Jarrad Grant, Brennan Stack and Malcolm Lynch.
"They're all very exciting."
Akermanis will retire when his three-year Bulldogs contract expires at the end of this year.
He said he doesn't feel sad about knowing he's just about completed his final pre-season but instead looks forward to potentially being part of "something special" this year.
"Sometimes you don't get to know when it's going to end but I know when it's going to end," he said.
"I know next year would have been a year too long and last year would have been a year too early. This feels right, from my point of view.
"I'm really looking forward to the year and to some parts of it being finished, and to the next phase as well.
"I don't feel emotional about it at all. Maybe at the end I will, but I think I'll just be happy with my career and hopefully this year will have some highlights and provide some really good memories.
"Everyone knows it now so I don't want to talk about it individually, and what I can give back to the group now is the most important thing.
"When we start playing, it's all about that really, and trying to be as successful as we possibly can."
Dream Team watch - Jason Akermanis is rated a $361,800 forward in Toyota AFL Dream Team 2009.
