AFL 2022 previews: Predictions for the upcoming season for the Western Bulldogs

While all the off-season noise was coming from the big names, the Dogs quietly picked up a crucial signing - here is why this new Bulldog will have them early flag favourites.

A fairytale season with a 45-minute horror show at the end of it. That‘s the best way to sum up the Bulldogs resurrection in 2021.

After being one of the best performers throughout the home and away season, the wheels fell off over the last three rounds with the trio of losses seeing the Dogs fall out of the top four.

But Luke Beveridge‘s team then evoked memories of their 2016 premiership run by beating Essendon in Tasmania, Brisbane Lions at the Gabba and then flogging Port Adelaide in the preliminary final at the Adelaide Oval.

And then midway through the third quarter in the Grand Final they led Melbourne by 19 points. We all know what happened next but it shouldn‘t detract from a brilliant season.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli was unlucky not to win the Brownlow Medal, while Bailey Smith became a cult hero after a stunning finals series.

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COACH: Luke Beveridge

CAPTAIN: Marcus Bontempelli

A fit and firing Marcus Bontempelli will carry the Doggies far in 2022.

WHERE DO THEY FINISH IN 2022

The Bulldogs aren‘t going anywhere and are a top four lock in ’22.

The list demographic is very appealing with most of their guns in a sweet spot of their careers regarding age and games played.

While the ruck situation continues to be the elephant in the room, Tim English is a big talent who will only get better while fingers will again be crossed that veteran Stefan Martin can hold up more than he did in 2021.

No. 1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan got a taste and will add plenty in his second season while the Dogs will get another top pick with father-son selection Sam Darcy who is an elite mobile tall.

The midfield, which was already scary good, should be even more frightening next year given boom recruit Adam Treloar and his bestie Josh Dunkley both missed half-a-season through injuries.

Bailey Smith enjoyed a stunning finals series. Picture: AFL Photos via Getty Images

BIGGEST IMPROVER

Going left-field here for a player who hasn‘t even pulled on a Dogs jumper yet.

Tim O‘Brien arrived at the Whitten Oval from Hawthorn as an unrestricted free agent after eight seasons and 97 games, mainly as a key forward.

However, in the second half of 2021 O‘Brien, 27, played in defence and came into his own with his high leaping aerial skills shining out.

The Dogs are crying out for another big tall to help out Alex Keath and O‘Brien’s athleticism fits into the way Beveridge likes his team to play.

And the timing proved more than fortuitous given the surprise retirement of Easton Wood.

Fans will be hoping Jamarra Ugle-Hagan takes his game to the next level. Picture: Michael Klein

X-FACTOR

Beveridge‘s decision to hold back the No. 1 draft pick will be rewarded.

A full pre-season coupled with more of an understanding of what is required at AFL level will see Jamarra Ugle-Hagan accelerate dramatically.

There were plenty of small signs during his five games (he kicked 7 goals) in 2021 to show the kid has something special but is a long way off physically.

That moment when he led out from full-forward and received a beautiful right-foot pass from Bontempelli to kick a crucial goal late in the Round 19 victory over Melbourne is burned into the minds of all Dogs fans.

Luke Beveridge’s amazing powers were on display again in 2021. Picture: AFL Photos via Getty Images

COACH STATUS

Has the job for life if he wants it.

Put any sorts of criticism which may have built up after the 2016 premiership let-down behind him with some brilliant coaching to get his team to an unlikely grand final berth.

Beveridge is signed until the end of 2023 but there has been some shuffling in the coaches‘ box with his long-time assistant Steven King leaving for the Gold Coast and Ashley Hansen moving to Carlton.

WHO IS IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT

Some interesting potential free agents with midfield maestro Jack Macrae and Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen both eligible as they‘re coming out-of-contract at the end of 2022.

The Dogs have a bit of fancy accounting to do with a number of other rising stars also requiring new deals.

Young gun Bailey Smith, ruckman Tim English, midfielder Josh Dunkley and All-Australian defenders Bailey Dale and Caleb Daniel need to be re-signed. Premiership heroes Zaine Cordy and Toby McLean are also out-of-contract.

INS

Tim O’Brien (free agent – Hawthorn), Sam Darcy (pick two), Arthur Jones (43), Luke Cleary (61), Charlie Parker (rookie), Robbie McComb (rookie), Cody Raak (category B rookie)

OUTS

Ben Cavarra (delisted), Will Hayes (delisted), Lin Jong (retired), Patrick Lipinski (traded – Collingwood), Sam Lloyd (retired), Easton Wood (retired), Lewis Young (traded – Carlton)

FIRST SIX GAMES

Rd 1: Melbourne @ MCG (L)

Rd 2: Carlton @ Marvel Stadium (W)

Rd 3: Sydney @ Marvel Stadium (W)

Rd 4: Richmond @ MCG (W)

Rd 5: North Melbourne @ Marvel Stadium (W)

Rd 6: Adelaide @ Mars Stadium (W)

BEST 22

B: Duryea, Cordy, Williams

HB: Dale, Keath, Daniel.

C: Smith, Liberatore, Hunter

HF: Treloar, Naughton, Dunkley

F: Weightman, English, Ugle-Hagan

R: Martin, Bontempelli, Macrae

IC: Vandermeer, O‘Brien, Johannisen, Hannan