The Western Bulldogs under first-year coach Luke Beveridge have been one of the surprise packets of the season. At 8-5, the side that appeared on its knees during last year’s off-season due to the departures of the key pillars of their club – captain, coach and CEO – has begun to rise again. The resurgence under Beveridge has been exceptional, with many predicting the Bulldogs to be anchored near the bottom of the ladder this season. So to be sitting a game inside the eight, on the same amount of points as Collingwood and Richmond, and a win below Hawthorn, the Bulldogs have well and truly exceeded expectations thus far.
 
Appointing a new coach can have a massive impact, but not many would have seen this coming. The Western Bulldogs back six has undergone a complete renovation, with Matthew Boyd and Robert Murphy in All Australian form across half-back and Easton Wood producing a career-defining season. At the halfway mark, all three have claims on a spot in the team of the year. Wood may be the most improved player in the game, whilst Boyd’s career suddenly has more life in it with the ball magnet averaging 27.3 possessions at an efficiency rate of 79.7 per cent. Captain Murphy has elevated his standing in the game since coming to the club’s rescue during a tumultuous time in their history. And the unearthing of former Cat Joel Hamling and Fletcher Roberts in the key posts has been shrewd, alongside veteran Dale Morris who has been named despite hurting his jaw last week. The kennel’s defence encapsulates everything that’s good at Whitten Oval right now – a mix of old, new, sprinkled with reinvigoration.
 
The man with the moniker ‘The Package’ – Jake Stringer – has become one of the Bulldogs' most important players. When they play well, Stringer usually plays a telling role in the outcome. And with Tory Dickson contributing inside 50 – he has 22 goals to his name – the Dogs combination of forward pressure and scoreboard impact has elevated this season. Liam Picken is spending more time forward than ever before with his pressure acts a feature of the Bulldogs attack. For the duration of his career Picken has played a tagging role. Under Beveridge, the poster boy for mature-aged rookie recruits has added another string to his bow in a more attacking role, averaging 22.7 possessions and kicking 10 goals for the year.
 
When last year’s Charlie Sutton medallist, Tom Liberatore, went down with a season ending knee injury during the NAB Challenge series, the Bulldogs engine room looked fragile. Not only had they lost one of the best young midfielders in the competition, and just months after losing Adam Cooney, Shaun Higgins and Ryan Griffen, but they had also lost the leading clearance and tackler in the game form 2014. In his absence, Luke Dahlhaus, Mitch Wallis, Koby Stevens, Jack Macrae and Marcus Bontempelli have raised their games to another level. Beveridge’s demand for high standards across the board saw Macrae spend time in the twos for a fortnight earlier in the year. Since returning in round nine against Greater Western Sydney, Macrae is averaging 30 possessions with three hauls of 30+, along with five inside 50s and 5.8 tackles. Another pearl of the evolving red, white and blue midfield is Bontempelli. The big bodied midfielder was dominant in the opening month of 2015, but has gone through a flat patch. Although he is capable of turning games on their head in a short burst.

Key Players

Easton Wood has become a pivotal part of the Western Bulldogs defensive department this season. Under the guidance of Beveridge, Wood has emerged as one of the best intercept defenders in the game. In 12 matches this season, Wood has intercepted an opposition ball 99 times – ranked second in the AFL. His timing and ability to read the play promptly allows him to leave his man and support his teammates. The new look back six, comprised of stalwarts Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd has undoubtedly assisted Wood’s rise this year, with the dashing defender firmly in All Australian calculations. The Victorian has quickly entered the top echelon of intercept defenders this season, alongside Fremantle’s Garrick Ibbotson, West Coast’s Sharrod Wellingham, Essendon’s Cale Hooker and Richmond’s Alex Rance. He is averaging 18 possessions at an elite 85.2 per cent and three rebound 50s per game.
 
After filling the gaping leadership void left by the departed Ryan Griffen, Bob Murphy has blossomed in a season where his club has needed him most. The 33-year-old is defying age to become one of the premier defensive ball users in the game. Murphy recently signed a one-year contract extension to see his career head towards the mythical 300-game barrier. And his signature on that paper is more a sign of how much he can still offer with his polished feet than just as a leader. Murphy has been bandied about as a genuine All Australian chance across half back this season and with good reason. The ageing warhorse is averaging 21.8 possessions, 4.6 rebound 50s and three inside 50s per game – hardly the statistics of someone in their twilight. With a new coach and an abundance of inexperience in the Western Bulldogs side, the progress of players like Hamling, Roberts and Wood can be attributed to the influence of Murphy.
 
The future of the Western Bulldogs forward line might be pinned on Tom Boyd, but a man who is delivering right now is Jake Stringer. The former pick No. 5 is one of the more talented players inside the kennel and has the capacity to dominate games in short periods of time. After 14 rounds, Stringer is the Dogs leading goal kicker with 28 majors next to his name. Despite his sharp ability around the big sticks, it remains unclear where his best position is. He doesn’t yet possess an engine big enough to run through the middle all day. And this may not be his most potent role given his innate ability in attack. Some have dubbed him the most dynamic player in the game, with consistent week in and week out performances this may be true. But right at the moment, for football purists, Stringer is one of the most captivating players to watch in the game.

Recent Results

Rd. 14 Western Bulldogs 9.10 (64) def Carlton 7.11 (53) at Etihad Stadium
Rd. 13 Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) def St Kilda 7.14 (56) at Etihad Stadium
Rd. 12 Western Bulldogs 22.14 (146) def Brisbane 11.8 (74) at Etihad Stadium
Rd. 10 Western Bulldogs 9.8 (62) def by Port Adelaide 16.4 (100) at Adelaide Oval