Luke Dahlhaus was a steal when the Western Bulldogs swooped at pick No.22 in the 2011 Rookie Draft. Now, in 2018, the 25-year-old is on the verge of playing his 150^th game.

“It’s quite scary thinking I’m one of the older ones now,” Dahlhaus told westernbulldogs.com.au on the eve of the Bulldogs’ season opener against the Giants on Sunday.

“It’s gone so quick, I’m nearly onto my eighth year.

“You grow as a player, you grow as a leader as it sort of goes on. I’m just continuing to try and get better and better especially for the younger blokes.”

Dahlhaus said the after the grind of the pre-season he can’t wait to get stuck into the season proper.

“We get to round one finally, get all of the pre-season out of the way.

“We’re only training and playing against each other at the minute so it’ll be good to go against an opposition up in Canberra.

“I’m feeling pretty fit and ready to be honest. I’ve had no niggles as of yet, it’s a long year though so touch wood it stays that way. I’m just raring to go.

“I’ll be (working on) building my fitness so I can get more time in the midfield and probably my disposal both by hand and by foot as well."

The Bulldogs have had some close battles with the Giants in recent times and Dahlhaus has no doubt Sunday will be similar.

“They’re athletically one of the best teams in the comp. It’s always a real close match up against them.

“It’ll be exciting. Hopefully we can get up on them this time.”