Western Bulldogs' captain Bob Murphy believes that coach Luke Beveridge has created the right balance in preparing his side for 2017 by presenting it as another new journey on which they can embark on together.

In his annual address to the Club’s Season Launch on Tuesday night, Beveridge emphasised the importance of putting past achievements in perspective and focusing on what’s ahead.

"This is an optimistic time of year, as it should be, and I think Luke got the balance right [on Tuesday] night," Murphy told SEN on Wednesday morning.

While the Bulldogs will be coming into the season with a different status to previous seasons, Murphy said the players will be looking for inspiration in the fact that they were now perceived as the 'hunted' rather than the 'hunter'.

"Nothing is for certain in an AFL season, as much as we all love to make predictions and read into form [based on] what happened last year. Everyone starts again and there's the reality for the Bulldogs that people are out to knock us off and we're the hunted and all that kind of thing.

"And that can either spook you or inspire you, and I think that is where Luke was coming from, to set the tone for the boys of,  'let's set sail again and see where we can go'."

Much to the skipper’s delight, Beveridge quoted from a Dr. Seuss book - 'Oh the Places You'll Go' – in his speech at the season launch on Tuesday night.

"There's always a bit of anticipation when the coach gets up at the season launch and he didn't disappoint ... it was some surreal brilliance from our man."

The Bulldogs' premiership season journey begins on Friday March 24 when they take on Collingwood at the MCG.