IF NOTHING else, clubs that go through trying seasons - especially unexpected ones - can learn a lot about their players. Often they will find out who can stand up when things get tough and who is better suited to smoother seas.

The Western Bulldogs' start to this season was extremely trying. After reaching the preliminary final in the past three seasons, they sat 13th on the ladder after 12 rounds.

But during this period, they would have learned - if they didn't already know - that Lindsay Gilbee is someone who can treat adversity as an opportunity, rather than something to be feared. 

After the Bulldogs were humiliated by 123 points by West Coast in round nine, Gilbee was dropped for the first time since 2004.

He won a reprieve after teammates Ryan Hargrave and Brodie Moles were late withdrawals from the team that took on Hawthorn the following week. But after an indifferent game against the Hawks, Gilbee was sent back to the Bulldogs' affiliate club Williamstown to regain form in the VFL.

For a player who had been a fixture in the Bulldogs' side since establishing himself as one of the competition's most damaging rebounding defenders in a breakout 2005 season, it must have been tough to take.

But Gilbee did not allow himself to wallow in self-pity. Those close to the Bulldogs told the AFL Record he was a constant presence at the club at that time, doing extra training in a bid to turn his season around.

But Gilbee's mindset at that time revealed even more about his character. Although not happy to be demoted, he accepted his form alone was to blame. He also saw playing in the VFL as an opportunity, not only to regain touch, but also to play alongside some of the club's youngsters.

"I was probably low on confidence and probably deserved not to have my spot in the side," Gilbee said.

"‘Rocket' (coach Rodney Eade) just wanted me to go back and work on the defensive side of my game and some other little things I wasn't doing as well as I had in years gone by.

"Obviously, the VFL is not where you ideally want to play, but I think you've got to go back there and embrace it, and try to play good footy to get back into the (AFL team).

"It was also a great chance to go back and play with some younger guys. It's different when you don't have your own reserves side. I look at guys like Ayce Cordy, who I haven't played a game with yet and this is his third year on the list. So I really enjoyed playing with some of the younger guys like him." 

Gilbee's positive approach was rewarded when he was recalled to the Bulldogs side after just two games in the VFL. His return in round 13 also coincided with a vast improvement in the Dogs' form; they have won their past three games, climbing from 13th on the ladder to 11th, just half a game outside the eight.  

Gilbee's own form since he returned has been solid. He has averaged 19 possessions and has disposed of them with his trademark accuracy - his disposal efficiency has been better than 80 per cent.

Gilbee spoke with the AFL Record at Whitten Oval on Monday ahead of his 200th game this weekend, against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.  

He had just finished signing autographs for a pack of young Bulldogs supporters at the club's ‘train with the team day'.

We spoke in the Bulldogs' indoor training centre as a group of Gilbee's teammates lifted weights in the adjacent gym. Minutes later, the same players light-heartedly taunted Gilbee as he took part in a photo shoot for this story. He smiled his way through their banter.

Although Gilbee has maintained a positive outlook throughout a trying season, it seems both he and the Bulldogs have an extra spring in their steps after the past three rounds.

Although the loss to the Eagles was "a kick in the backside", Gilbee said it highlighted areas the Bulldogs had to improve in quickly if they wanted to salvage something from their season.

"I think in the weeks after that, we've improved as a side," he said.

"A lot of home truths got told after the Eagles game, which we thoroughly deserved, and we had a few punishing sessions to rectify those issues.

"Obviously, you don't want to lose by 20 goals, but it was not all gloom and doom because some good came out of it as well."

Gilbee agreed with Eade's assessment that the 64-point win over Melbourne last Friday night was the Bulldogs' best performance for 2011, saying it was the first time they had won all of their six key performance indicators.

Gilbee said a key factor in the Bulldogs' return to form has been their shrinking injury list, with the return to fitness and form of Adam Cooney, Barry Hall and Shaun Higgins, who has been "rejuvenated" by a move into defence, particularly important.

Gilbee said the Bulldogs' start to 2011 had not been helped by the fact many players had carried injuries through last year's finals campaign, which had disrupted their subsequent pre-seasons.

"We had 10-15 guys out of our starting 22 in last year's finals who needed surgery at the end of the season," said Gilbee, who had a post-season shoulder operation.

"This probably said a bit about what the club was all about. If it had been any other time, Brian Lake probably wouldn't have played in those finals.

And ‘Coons' (Cooney), ‘Murph' (Robert Murphy), Ryan Griffen, Shaun Higgins and Dale Morris were all in the same boat.

"And these days, if you don't have a full pre-season behind you, it puts you behind the eight-ball a little bit. Just look at the way (West Coast's) Daniel Kerr and Dean Cox have returned to form this year after having good pre-seasons."  

When we spoke, Gilbee was just four days away from an even bigger milestone than his 200th game - his 30th birthday, which was on Friday.

Although Gilbee said the prospect of turning 30 had made him appreciate just how long he had been in the AFL - 12 seasons - he had been rejuvenated this year by his occasional forays into the Bulldogs' forward line.

There, he has played both as a goalsneak - he kicked six goals against Richmond in round eight - and as a defensive forward.

Gilbee said being entrusted with this variety of roles had been the most exciting part of his 2011 season.

"I've played most of my junior footy as a forward, but it's kind of strange when you come into League footy. If you're a forward you usually end up playing as a back and if you're a back you usually end up playing as a forward," he said.

"So, I've enjoyed the chance to play forward this year. If anything, you're a little bit more relaxed on the forward line. But I'm guessing not as much these days as in the past, because when the ball comes in, if you're not trying to kick a goal, you've got to try to keep the ball in with manic forward defensive pressure."

Gilbee said reaching his 200th game was a special achievement, especially since teammates and fellow 1999 draftees Murphy and Daniel Giansiracusa had reached the milestone earlier this season.

He was happy to reflect on his journey to the milestone.

"It's certainly been a bit of a long road and had some bumps," he said. "Probably the hardest time was when my old man (Lawrie) passed away (in July 2009).

"But I've had some great times as well. Playing with guys like ‘Gia' (Giansiracusa), Murph, Ryan Griffen, ‘Higgo' (Shaun Higgins), Brad Johnson and Scott West, I can't speak highly enough of such players.

"Rohan Smith has had probably the biggest influence on my career, living with him and learning from him. Certainly, I'll be richer for the experience of playing for this footy club."

But Gilbee's focus soon moved from the past to the future. When we started to ask him whether the Bulldogs' current playing group had missed its chance of a premiership after reaching three preliminary finals in a row, Gilbee responded before we had finished the question.

"No, there's no doubt at all in my mind our premiership window is not shutting," he said with conviction.

"I'm more excited with where the footy club's at this year than the last few years, even though we haven't won as many games.

"We have some kids who would probably be playing in some other sides that aren't in ours. So our depth is great, the attitude around the club is great, our work ethic is great and the mood is still up around the place, even though we haven't had the start to the season we wanted.

"I'm extremely confident about the next few years."