There’s nothing wrong with being unique, and it’s the Bulldogs’ dare to be different that invigorates Luke Dahlhaus.

"We've got our own identity, it's definitely got a community vibe, and it's the history,” Dahlhaus told The Age.

From the Club’s blue-collar roots, to it's care for its people, to the oft discussed on-field fortunes, there’s an intangible that makes Whitten Oval a special place to call home.

It’s that intangible that made the turning fortunes of the Club the more rewarding in recent times.

It’s something that makes the chase for success all the more meaningful too.

“To have that goal in front of you…to get that success in the club that we haven't had for so long, it just makes (being a Bulldog) very unique.”

The 23 year-old Dahlhaus had a career year in 2015, ranking number one in the AFL at his position in Champion Data ranking points per game, also ranking in the top 10% at his position for disposals and clearances.

The shift from a permanent small forward to spending more time in the midfield saw Dahlhaus average an impressive 25 disposals, three marks and five tackles per game, but it didn’t dull his ability to hit the scoreboard, ranking fourth in the competition for score assists amongst players categorised as mid-forwards.

But it’s not all one way for the former rookie, the hyper-competitive Dahlhaus lifting his defensive game to another level as well, and earning himself a spot in the All-Australian 40-man squad in the process.

Dahlhaus said that last season’s exit from the finals still burns, but it’s left the playing group even more determined as the Club gears up for its NAB Challenge opener in Canberra in a week’s time.

Speaking during a visit to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat on Wednesday, Dahlhaus said that the coaching group’s decision to wait until the team got back from their offseason break was a sensible approach, the disappointment of the loss too heavy at the time.

"I think doing it straight away might have been a bit raw for the boys – they were still hurting," he said.

"It burns in the gut, but it's something that makes you want to train harder and do everything better to just get there again."