The Western Bulldogs have the capability to rise quickly, according to AFL great Wayne Carey.

With three rounds to play in 2019, the Bulldogs sit 10^th on the ladder and remain a chance to sneak into September action – needing a win this week against top-eight outfit Essendon to keep their finals ambitions alive.

And Carey believes regardless of where the Bulldogs end up in 2019, the club is well-placed for the future.

“Since their premiership in 2016, the Western Bulldogs have been one of the more curious cases in football,” Carey wrote in The Age.

“Back then a young and hungry group was seemingly on the verge of a dynasty, but as we know that's not how things have panned out.

“The Dogs could rise again just as swiftly.  I believe they have most of the ingredients and, perhaps more importantly, the maturity for a more sustained period of success.”

The rise of the likes of Josh Dunkley, Aaron Naughton and Tim English have been highlights for the Bulldogs in 2019, according to Carey, after significant list changes since 2016.

“Much credit must go to Luke Beveridge for the way he's reinvented this group,” Carey wrote.

“The manic brand of 2016 has been tweaked and again stacks up against the best teams.

“Remarkably, what's let the Bulldogs down this year has been their performances against so-called lesser opposition.

“While they've beaten Geelong, Richmond and the Brisbane Lions, they have lost to the likes of Gold Coast, Carlton and St Kilda.

“September or not, this season still appears to be the perfect platform for 2020.”