What's in their favour? There's a palpable determination at Whitten Oval to atone for a hugely disappointing 2007, when big pre-season hopes translated instead into a lowly 13th. The Bulldogs have recruited strongly, the most notable arrivals being former Adelaide pair Ben Hudson and Scott Welsh. Both can be expected to make a significant difference to previous problem areas in the ruck and attack, Welsh in particular relieving some of the continual heat put on undersized champion Brad Johnson. Jason Akermanis should have a bigger impact, too, after a season to settle in at the kennel.
What's not? The Bulldogs have lost a massive amount of experience with the retirements of Luke Darcy, Chris Grant, Matthew Robbins and Brett Montgomery. There is still much dependence on the ageing frames of Johnson and prolific centreman Scott West, and there's a host of younger types whose bodies still lack the strength and resilience to absorb the punishment the tougher teams mete out. Runner Farren Ray has missed the important run-up to the season with a leg injury.
Stepping into the spotlight? Andrejs Everitt was a revelation in his debut season and has been handed Chris Grant's No.3 guernsey as a result. Tom Williams came into the senior line-up around the same time and was equally impressive at centre half-back. Both will not only be weekly regulars in 2008, but could prove pivotal to the Dogs' fortunes. Talented forward/midfielder Shaun Higgins, with an extra year under his belt, is another youngster even more ready to make the transition from promising kid to pivotal senior player.
In their wildest dreams? Hudson and Welsh have an immediate impact, the former Crow ruckman allowing Will Minson to play forward regularly, Welsh providing an alternate spearhead to Johnson, who can still be used as a shock trooper midfield. The confidence that deserted some of the Dogs' most important players last year returns, as, consequently, does the hard-running attacking brand of footy that proved so successful in 2006, and a top-four finish beckons.
The reality? Still some major question marks about the strength of both the forward and defensive set-ups, and the Bulldogs' comparative lack of physical strength against the harder-bodied teams that regularly cause them trouble. That said, their best is still a big handful, and anything less than a finals finish would be a major disappointment.
ROBERT WALLS 8th It's make or break time for coach Eade. If the Dogs duck their heads, avoid physical contact, lose more than their fair share of contested ball, then it will be gloom and doom in the kennel.
ROHAN CONNOLLY 9th Rumblings at the kennel over summer don't inspire much confidence in a stunning rebound from last year's shocker. There's skill and pace, but still perhaps a dearth of genuine strength and aggression.
