There’s just over two months to go until the Western Bulldogs start their 2021 campaign, but gun midfielder Jack Macrae says they already have their sights set on starting strongly.

The Bulldogs have played finals football the past two seasons, but have had to do it the hard way after slow starts – at one stage being 4-9 in 2019, and after a disappointing 0-2 start in 2020.

“Especially the last two seasons, we’ve probably started a bit slowly and had to really ramp up in the back half of the year,” Macrae told RSN Breakfast Club.

“It’s probably showed by the time we get to finals. We probably haven’t played our best performances in those games.

“For us, there’s a very big emphasis on starting the season well and not getting to the point where halfway through the year we have to win eight or nine of the last 10 games (just to make finals).”

The two-time All Australian has been in scintillating form the past two seasons.

He knows the Bulldogs’ midfielders will need to be adaptable in 2021, but is exciting by the depth of talent with the addition of Adam Treloar and retention of Josh Dunkley.

“There’s a lot of depth in there and that’s really important,” Macrae said.

“It’s probably something we haven’t had for a few years now, so we’re all going to have to be a bit more flexible in there to fit us all in. It’s going to be exciting to see how we all mesh together.”

A season-opener against Collingwood at the MCG would be much anticipated any year – but even more so in 2021, with Treloar set to line up against his old side.

For Macrae, there’s the added intrigue about his brother, Finlay, potentially making his AFL debut in that game after being drafted by the Pies this year.

“I’d love for him to debut Round 1. For him, it’s coming in and getting to know everyone and starting off really well,” Macrae said.

“That’s the first advice I gave him, to worry about your first few days at training and don’t look too far ahead.

“He’s a bit similar (to me) in a sense – he’s a midfielder, a bit classier than I was at that stage of my career, and he’s got the ability to kick on both sides of his body as well.

“He’s a pretty calm and collected player with footy in hand, so hopefully he can bring those traits to AFL level and have a great career.”