It's already been a long 2018 campaign for the struggling Western Bulldogs. Credit:AAP

WESTERN BULLDOGS

RECORD: 4 wins, 8 losses

GRADING: D

Summer expectation

The pre-season was about trying to ascertain if they would climb from missing finals and return to threatening the eight. It was about how players like Tom Liberatore, Tom Boyd and Luke Dahlhaus would go after difficult seasons in 2017. Then of course there was the offloading of Jake Stringer and trying to get a handle on whether that gave them a lift from a shift in playing group dynamics, or if it hurt them on the field (though realistically his form had been poor for a long time).

Red Dog: Ed Richards has quickly adapted to the AFL. Credit:AAP

The story so far

Where do you start? The season has been a case of recrafting the narrative about this club. Last year they were the reigning premiers who had a surprising drop and missed the eight. This year has been a case of saying the drop should not have been that surprising.

The surprise

Jack Macrae was the standout performer of the first half of the year, taking his game from very good to excellent. He became a bankable high-possession, high-class performer in the midfield who could also go forward and kick a goal. The other big surprise was how quickly and how well Ed ‘Red’ Richards transitioned to the AFL level. He immediately looks a 200-game player with poise in the contest and good balance to his game. From the outside he looks to possess leadership.

What's ahead

Things only get harder from here. The Dogs' next six games see them play five top-eight teams, and the other is the ninth-placed Hawthorn. That run is hard enough but when you consider the age of the teams they have been putting out there.

How is your team faring? Check out the other report cards here.