While winning the contested ball has been the Western Bulldogs’ early trademark, in 2014 the Club’s major improvement has been in skill execution.

The improvements have been two-fold after eight rounds, both increasing disposal efficiency and simultaneously restricting the opposition’s uncontested possession count, showing the growing accountability of the team.

In pure numbers, the Bulldogs have improved their efficiency by almost five per cent since the same round last season (2013 - 69.3%, 2014 - 74.2%).

The Bulldogs are currently ranked second in the league for average disposal efficiency, as a comparison the 2013 figures would have them in 16th place after eight rounds this season.

While a run of strong performances in the back end of last season saw the team improve their efficiency to 72.6% overall, the Bulldogs have built on that foundation this year.

Limiting the opposition’s effective disposal and uncontested possession count each week also sees the Bulldogs rank first in the league in both statistical categories.

In 2013 the Bulldogs averaged 15 more effective touches than their opponent each week but that number has increased to 25.5 in 2014 – and ranks third in the competition.

While the majority of the personnel in the Club’s top ten ball winners has remained the same, the disposal efficiency of the group has also increased from the end of last season.

In 2013 the top ten possession getters averaged 72.5% disposal efficiency, the equivalent group in 2014 is averaging 75.02% -  equating to almost 45 more clean disposals so far this year.

The most striking individual improvements year on year in disposal efficiency from the top ten ball winners are Shaun Higgins (+9.4%), Easton Wood (+9%), Liam Picken (+5.8%) and Jack Macrae (+5.1%).