Western Bulldogs skipper Bob Murphy says that while he was pleased with the way his teammates presented themselves when returning to pre-season training after the summer holiday period, maintaining the hunger to stay in peak condition throughout the season will be the key to success for the side in 2017.

Speaking on SEN's breakfast program, Murphy said the pressure for places in the side will help the players maintain that hunger.

"As a leader of the footy club I was on edge for the start of pre-season just to see how guys came back and we passed that test with flying colours. The guys were fit, ready, hungry, and flew on the track. They were fit and ready to go.

"But that's not set in stone. You have to keep answering that, and answering that and answering that through the whole year. But all the signs I've got are positive. And a lot of that is because the guys - while they don't talk about it in the locker room - they say, 'Gee, where do I fit into this side?', so there's a competitiveness at training."

Match information: Western Bulldogs v Collingwood

Murphy said a playing list that runs deep and is another key and the Bulldogs are looking forward to having a healthier list this year than was the case at times in season 2016.

"We feel that our list has got a lot of depth and a lot of sides will say that. We were saying that last year, although we didn't know it would be as tested as thoroughly as what it was. That was one of the hallmarks of last year, that our list bats pretty deep and we called on a whole lot of players and they were really influential in the finals series.

"I think we're healthy at the moment and that should hold us in good stead."

While Murphy believes the 2017 Bulldogs side is an improvement on last year's model, he knows that there will be many other teams that have advanced as well.

"We think we've improved but you can be as sure as eggs that a lot of other sides have improved too."

Murphy said that coach Luke Beveridge has also found ways of keeping the team grounded.

"[Luke] sort of drops little seeds here and there, and one of the things he said was, 'Last year, we were the best side for about 10 minutes'. Sydney were the best side last year. We timed the bob of the head but we have to climb the mountain again.

The Bulldogs open the season against Collingwood on Friday night at the MCG.