Club by club: How will Western Bulldogs fare wearing tag of 2024’s ‘most intriguing’ side?

The Bulldogs enter 2024 as the AFL’s most intriguing side, so how can they avoid underachieving once again? SCOTT GULLAN previews their season and the issues that must be solved.

GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs celebrates during the 2023 AFL Round 24 match between the Geelong Cats and the Western Bulldogs at GMHBA Stadium on August 26, 2023 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The Western Bulldogs are the most intriguing team entering 2024.

On paper there is talent everywhere, but that was also the case last season and the Bulldogs managed to be their own worst enemy, missing the finals for the first time in five years.

There has been a lot of noise coming out of the Whitten Oval, with an ongoing review of the club’s football department not exactly the ideal way to start a new season.

The Dogs need to back premiership coach Luke Beveridge and get those 2016 vibes back, although the loss of Bailey Smith to a knee injury in December was a cruel blow.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Coach: Luke Beveridge

Captain: Marcus Bontempelli

Marcus Bontempelli could hardly have had a better season personally in 2023 by his standards. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2023?

Can anyone explain how the Dogs lost to the West Coast Eagles in round 23 at Marvel Stadium with a finals spot on the line?

It is still unfathomable four months on — and in many ways summed up the Western Bulldogs season.

They were all over the shop, losing the opening two games by 50 points and 51 points before going on a five-game winning streak from rounds 6-10 which was then followed by three straight losses.

The second half of the year was a trainwreck, winning just three of the last eight games of the season.

They were remarkably still in the hunt for finals in round 24 after they defeated Geelong at Kardinia Park, but were denied September action after the GWS Giants took down Carlton in the final game of the round.

Tom Liberatore was dominant in the middle for the Bulldogs last season. Picture: Michael Klein.

Giving up runs of goals to the opposition was the biggest problem.

In 14 of their 23 games, the Dogs allowed their opponents to kick four or more goals in a row.

That is bad for business, as is not being able to win the close ones.

They lost six games by 12 points or less.

Captain Marcus Bontempelli can’t play better — he was stiff not to win the Brownlow Medal — while Tom Liberatore was brilliant again and Tim English the All-Australian ruckman. Despite this midfield dominance and a stacked forward line, the Dogs weren’t the scoring machine many were predicting.

WHERE DO THEY FINISH IN 2024?

It will either be a boom or bust for the Bulldogs.

You get the sense there won’t be any in-between.

Beveridge will either have his troops positioned as a top-four premiership threat or the wheels will fall off and it could get messy for the coach.

Smith’s loss is massive given he was in a contract year and primed to reverse his 2023 form slump.

The drop in output from Jack Macrae last season is also concerning, as it left too much for Bontempelli, Liberatore and Adam Treloar.

The recruitment of ex-Demon James Harmes and one-time first-round draft pick Nick Coffield from St Kilda will help the midfield depth.

Bulldog Aaron Naughton will again.spearhead his side in attack Photo by Michael Klein.

But the main focus for Beveridge will be what he does with his bevy of giants.

Aaron Naughton, off the back of a staggering eight-year contract extension, is the main man in the forward half, with Beveridge set to again ignore calls to move him back.

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is ready to explode after kicking 35.35 goals in his third season.

Rory Lobb was disappointing in his first season at the Dogs as the third-tall forward, but it’s in defence where help is required for Liam Jones after an outstanding return to football last year.

Young gun Sam Darcy, who only managed three games in his second season because of a variety of injury issues, is seen as the potential solution at centre half-back.

Buku Khamis is being trialled there in the pre-season, while the Dogs also drafted another talented young tall in father-son selection Jordan Croft.

Young gun Sam Darcy played several VFL matches in 2023, but the Dogs will hope he gets a clean bill of health and a good run of form at AFL level. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

BIGGEST IMPROVER IN 2024?

Almost from the moment he arrived at the Whitten Oval, Sam Darcy has been talked about as something special.

Unfortunately the 20-year-old’s body hasn’t allowed him to have a run at it, with just seven games in his opening two seasons.

At 205cm, Darcy can play ruck, forward or in defence.

Given the Dogs issues in the back half, there is a sense that is where he will be used in 2024 — with the option to be thrown forward to turn the game should the need arise.

New draftee Ryley Sanders has massive raps on him ahead of the AFL season. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images.

X-FACTOR

The early mail has No. 6 draft pick Ryley Sanders already in the frame for a Round 1 debut. The highly rated inside midfielder — whose penchant for wearing his socks up like Port young gun Jason Horne-Francis — is exactly what the Bulldogs need.

With Smith out injured, a new fresh spark is required in the middle of the ground and by all reports the Tasmanian teenager has all the attributes to make an immediate impact.

COACH STATUS

Luke Beveridge signed a two-year contract extension at the end of 2022 which will have him at the helm until the end of 2025.

The Dogs’ ordinary season had questions being asked about his status, but the focus at the Whitten Oval has been to get better help around him.

Ex-Cat Matthew Egan comes in as coaching and performance manager, while former West Coast assistant coach Daniel Pratt will take charge of the backline.

Buldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge is set to be at the helm of his side until 2025. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images.

IN LAST YEAR OF CONTRACT

Alex Keath, Bailey Smith, Buku Khamis, Charlie Clarke, Dominic Bedendo, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Jason Johannisen, Jedd Busslinger, Lachie McNeil, Lachlan Bramble, Rhylee West, Riley Garcia, Taylor Duryea, Tom Liberatore, Tim English.

OUTS FROM 2023

Josh Bruce (retired), Hayden Crozier (delisted), Mitch Hannan (delisted), Robbie McComb (delisted), Toby McLean (delisted), Tim O’Brien (delisted), Cody Raak (delisted), Roarke Smith (delisted), Jordon Sweet (trade, Port Adelaide)

INS FOR 2024

Lachie Bramble (SSP, Hawthorn), Nick Coffield (trade, St Kilda), Jordan Croft (No. 15 draft pick, father-son), Joel Freijah (No. 45 draft pick), James Harmes (trade, Melbourne), Aiden O’Driscoll (No. 55 draft pick), Ryley Sanders (No. 6 draft pick), Lachlan Smith (No. 47 draft pick)

Originally published as Club by club: How will Western Bulldogs fare wearing tag of 2024’s ‘most intriguing’ side?