IN AN era where the game is getting smaller, the Bulldogs have gone in the other direction.

The 2016 premiers went big during the off-season, literally, recruiting two key-position players in Josh Schache and Jackson Trengove via trades and a third at the draft in Aaron Naughton.

It means the club enters the 2018 season with 18 players on its list at 190cm or taller.

Given the squad’s list profile, it will be interesting to see how coach Luke Beveridge fits such size into one team — particularly defensively, where there is a lot of height to play with.

Finals Week 1

Marcus Adams, Dale Morris, Jackson Trengove and Easton Wood can all be considered key defenders who are likely to push for a regular place in the senior side, while Lewis Young, Kieran Collins, Zaine Cordy, Fletcher Roberts and Naughton will also be in the frame.

Up forward, Beveridge will likely face a similar conundrum.

Tom Boyd will be finally hoping to string together a consistent season, while Schache joins from the Lions in what will be an intriguing young combination inside 50.

The 22-year-old Boyd had held the record for most goals in an under 18s championships campaign, before the 20-year-old Schache broke that landmark a couple of years later.

How will they fit in the same forward line? Only time will tell.

Marcus Bontempelli is a genuine star of the game. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

THE LOCK

He’s among the best players in the game and Marcus Bontempelli is only getting better. He enjoyed another superb campaign last season, averaging 22.9 disposals and 6.3 tackles per game. He was among the best contested players in the league, while he was ultra classy on the outside. He also pushed forward, kicking 20 goals and adding 19 goal assists from 22 games. It’s hard to believe Bontempelli is only 22 years of age.

THE BUBBLE

A horrible leg injury kept Mitch Wallis out of the Western Bulldogs team until Round 9 last season, but he ended the year in the VFL. The tenacious midfielder featured in only 12 matches for the year and averaged 20.7 disposals per game. He saw his clearance numbers drop, slipping out of the side for the final two matches of the campaign. At his best, he’s clearly in the Bulldogs’ senior side. Now, Luke Beveridge will be hoping he can return to that form. You’d hate to see him drop out of the team once again next season.

THE RISING STAR

It was another promising season for Bailey Dale. He managed 16 games, playing as a high half forward who had impressive stints through the midfield. The 21-year-old is ultra classy and combines an innate ball winning ability with a knack of making things happen inside 50. He averaged 17.2 disposals per game last year, while he also added 17 goals from 16 games. Expect to see bigger and better things from Dale in 2018.

Tom Boyd will be joined by Josh Schache in the Dogs’ forward line. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Source: News Corp Australia

IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR ...

It was a weird season for Tom Liberatore. He spent a month out of the team midway through the campaign, dropped to the VFL by Luke Beveridge, but he never really recovered his best form after that. He averaged only 17.2 disposals per game, with his numbers dropping in most key statistical categories. Out of contract at the end of next season, it could be another intriguing campaign looming for the tough midfielder.





BEST 22

B: Marcus Adams, Dale Morris, Jackson Trengove

HB: Hayden Crozier, Easton Wood, Matt Suckling

C: Jason Johannisen, Marcus Bontempelli, Jack Macrae

HF: Toby McLean, Josh Schache, Caleb Daniel

F: Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Boyd, Liam Picken

FOLL: Jordan Roughead, Lachie Hunter, Tom Liberatore

I/C: Bailey Dale, Josh Dunkley, Mitch Wallis, Shane Biggs

EMG: Lin Jong, Clay Smith, Lewis Young

OTHERS: Tom Campbell, Kieran Collins, Zaine Cordy, Tory Dickson, Tim English, Fergus Greene, Mitch Honeychurch, Patrick Lipinski, Aaron Naughton, Callum Porter, Jack Redpath, Ed Richards, Fletcher Roberts, Lukas Webb, Bailey Williams

ROOKIES: Billy Gowers, Bradley Lynch, Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, Roarke Smith