The Western Bulldogs are stronger than ever off the field and a force on it with a once-in-a-generation coach, according to new board member Luke Darcy.

The Dogs are well placed to remain an on-field threat in the short to medium term because of canny list management and a coach that Darcy rates as one of the most influential and impressive figures in the game.

Luke Darcy has joined the board at the Western Bulldogs. Credit:Paul Rovere

"They are really well placed. We are in such a competitive industry but some of the signs last year as a group, with the connection they had, the way they moved the ball and the cohesiveness of the game they played was impressive," Darcy said in an interview with The Age about his decision to join the board.

"They ran into a powerful GWS in the final and had a bad day, but they have recruited really well in the off-season so I think the list is in good shape and the coach has proven to be a once-in-a-generation person at the football club. He is a super-impressive person and with someone of his quality in charge they are well placed."