Read below as AFL Media reporter Ryan Davidson reviews the Western Bulldogs 2015 season.
What worked?
- Luke Beveridge's 'fast footy' game plan turned a defensively minded bottom-four side into one of the competition's most exciting teams inside 12 months. The rookie coach freed up his young charges and it's seen most of them have career-best seasons.
- Installing Robert Murphy as captain proved to be an inspired one with the veteran's infectious love for the game spreading through his young team. Murphy’s leadership was recognised by his peers in the form of the AFLPA Best Captain Award.
- Matthew Boyd's move to half-back and Liam Picken's evolution into an attacking midfielder were both pivotal in the Dogs' unexpected success.
Room for improvement
- The first ruck role was a revolving door in 2015 with Will Minson, Ayce Cordy, Jordan Roughead and Tom Campbell preferred at different times with varying success. Cordy has now been delisted.
- The Dogs failed to take their ample chances in the elimination final loss to Adelaide. A little more composure and better goal kicking would have then seen them a solid chance to knock over reigning premier Hawthorn in a semi-final.
- Season-ending knee injuries to Tom Liberatore, Clay Smith and Roarke Smith reduced the depth of the Dogs' squad.
What we said in the pre-season
If club's plethora of young talent embraces the new coach's attacking game-plan and continue their steady development, the Bulldogs should have a far more prosperous season.
Overall rating: 8/10
It's hard not to get excited about what's going at Whitten Oval. The Dogs have some of the competition's most exciting youngsters and arguably play the AFL's most exhilarating brand of football. The excitement around the club has seen the Bulldogs post record membership numbers this year.
The coach
Taking over from Brendan McCartney, Luke Beveridge instilled self-belief, fun and enthusiasm into a side that was failing to capture the imagination of its fans and the wider AFL community. The rookie coach sold the club extremely well, is a solid media performer and displayed a sound tactical nous on game day.
MVP
Luke Dahlhaus: The 23-year-old is now one of the AFL's premier midfield/forwards after averaging 25 disposals and five tackles a game in 2015. The former rookie is also super consistent, playing all 24 matches this season and only failed on two occasions to get 20 possession or more. Honourable mentions to Matthew Boyd and Jake Stringer.
Surprise packets
Easton Wood and Tory Dickson: It's hard to split two players who weren't expected to have huge impacts in 2015. Wood finds himself in the All Australian squad after nearly being impassable across half-back. His reading of the play and intercept marking were exceptional. Dickson was a dead-eye in attack and kicked 50 goals with an efficiency of 80% in a breakout season.

Get excited
Toby McLean: He may have only played four games in 2015, but the Dogs' first pick in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft (No.26 overall) proved he's one to watch. Smart skills, strong overhead and a nose for a goal are some of the attributes the medium forward possesses, and the 19-year-old is one to watch for for next year's Rising Star award.
Best win: Four-point win over the Sydney Swans, round five, SCG.
Taking on a hardened Swans' outfit on a soggy SCG, the young pups outmuscled and outplayed John Longmire's men to record a memorable win. It also proved to the young Bulldogs they could match it with the best.
Low point: It's hard to go past the seven-point elimination final loss to Adelaide. The Dogs had more scoring shots, more of the ball, and the better of the Crows across the majority of the stats sheet, but weren’t able to convert that to the scoreboard by the final siren.
Season in a song: 'Kickstart My Heart' by Motley Crue
Who's done?
Retirements: There are unlikely to be any at Whitten Oval with veterans Murphy, Boyd and Morris all signing on for 2016.
Delistings: Ayce Cordy, Matthew Fuller, Sam Darley, Brett Goodes, Daniel Pearce, Jordan Kelly
What do they need?
Recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple says the Dogs are on the lookout for a ruck/forward. A dominant first ruck and key defender wouldn't go astray either.
Premiership clock: 10pm
With the young pups developing at a rapid rate and old guard still performing well, the Dogs are well placed to build on their breakout 2015 season
Port Adelaide showed that that what goes up, can fall just as quickly. However, the Dogs' new-found depth should ensure there's no complacency as they look to grow under Luke Beveridge.
