The speedster - who finished fourth in the 2012 Charles Sutton Medal – will focus on maintaining a higher output in blockbuster games, against quality opposition.
Defenders from top tiered teams were often able to exploit the young pups’ inexperience but Dahlhaus refuses to come off second best this season.
''It comes down to me getting fitter and stronger to work that off,'' Dahlhaus told The Age.
''They are obviously the teams that are so good defensively and they lock down on all opposition players.
''I want to play my best in the big games. Hopefully, this year I get a few more kicks off them.''
While opposing teams are expected to place a higher emphasis on shutting the pacey 20-year-old down, Dahlhaus has proven he has the x factor to provide a dangerous option rotating through the midfield and forward line even with the added attention of a tagger.
Ranking third at the Club in inside 50s, equal second in goal assists and fourth in goals kicked, Dahlhaus has quickly firmed as an impact player in the Bulldogs forward line.
This pre-season has seen Dahlhaus’ attention turn to his efficiency.
''Where I have been working this pre-season has been on my disposal and my kicking,'' he said.
Despite being propelled into the spotlight early in his career, the Leopold recruit is conscious of staying grounded and continuing to work hard behind the scenes.
''That's one of the big things for me, you can never get too ahead of yourself. You remember where you come from and how you got here,'' he said.
''Just because you are getting games in the senior team, it doesn't mean you slow down. You do what you have always done. I keep doing the same amount of work.
''It's my third year now - it's just finally starting to sink in I am an AFL player now.
''You have just got to put your head down and never give up, which I said to myself I never would.''
