The reigning premiers didn't live up to expectations in 2017, and became the first side since Hawthorn in 2009 to miss out on the finals in the year following premiership glory.
They failed to fire consistently throughout the season, and while they were in touch with the top eight with one round remaining, the Dogs were never really a big threat given their percentage and form in the second half of the year.
A number of players struggled to back up their form from the 2016 season, with only a handful of players actually elevating their game, with the rest of the side at best stagnating.
Off-field troubles reportedly interrupted their season at times, and that all came to a head during Jake Stringer's exit meeting, as the club and their star forward both agreed a mutual parting of ways was for the best.
2018 is certainly going to be very interesting for the Dogs.
Best win:
With the Dogs and Essendon facing off in round 19, the fixture had massive implications of the finals race for both sides.
Essendon (8th, 36pts) and the Bulldogs (10th, 36pts) were split by 11%, but a win for Luke Beveridge's men and his side would have been a step closer to playing finals football.
As the match was evenly poised midway through the third quarter, the Dogs took hold of the game, and booted seven of the final nine goals to blow the Dons away and win by 30 points.
Shane Biggs (29 disposals, 11 marks) led the way for the home side, while Marcus Bontempelli's two second half goals coupled with 23 disposals and seven marks helped them keep their finals hopes alive.
Worst loss:
In a highly anticipated Friday night clash between Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, the two sides fought long and hard all first half, although it was the Crows who led by just three points at the main break.
After a solid first half, the Dogs went missing after half-time, and could only manage one goal in the second half compared to Adelaide's 11.
The Crows kicked 10 unanswered goals after the break to put the game to bed quickly, as it was just another exhibit of the Dogs being off the pace against a top side in 2017.
Most improved: Bailey Dale
After playing just four games across the 2016 season, Dale stepped up and became an integral part of the Dogs' line-up this season.
Across his 16 matches in 2017, Dale averaged 17.3 disposals, 3.2 marks, 2.9 inside 50s and 1.9 tackles per game, and also booted 17 goals for the season.
He was one of the Dogs' best in their round 22 loss to Port Adelaide in Ballarat, as he kicked a career high four goals to go along with 14 disposals and three marks.
The 21-year-old was rewarded for his strong season in August, when he signed a two-year contract extension to stay at Whitten Oval.
Best and fairest: Marcus Bontempelli
An All-Australian, best and fairest, and premiership hero last season, Bontempelli's 2017 campaign didn't live up to his 2016 output, although he did set himself such a high standard.
Bontempelli was still one of the Dogs' best this season, and while his disposal numbers did drop off, the rest of his game didn't fall too much.
The 21-year-old averaged 23 disposals, four marks, 6.3 tackles, 4.6 inside 50s and 4.2 clearances per game from his 22 matches, and also booted 20 goals.
Wins against Carlton and Sydney saw him collect 30 disposals and kick two goals in each match, in what were two of his best performances of the season.
What the off-season could look like:
It's going to be a big off-season for the Bulldogs, and more importantly, Jake Stringer.
The club have made it known they are willing to trade their premiership star, with Stringer also reportedly keen to move on from the Dogs.
Given both sides have gone quite public with the news, it does bring Stringer's worth into consideration, given rival clubs may not give in to the Dogs' demands seeing as though they want to get rid of him.
A draft pick between 10-20 looks like Stringer's price, although the question remains, can the Dogs and Stringer play together in 2018 if a trade cannot be facilitated?
2018 crystal ball:
Next year will be very important for the future of this Bulldogs outfit.
Will they storm back into the finals and re-gain their 2016 form? Or will they continue on from their 2017 campaign and fall back in with the mid-table sides?
A major decision for Luke Beveridge will be which players he calls upon to replace the likes of Murphy and Stringer in the side, as the outgoing duo occupy important positions in the current 22.
It's hard to decide just how far the Dogs can go next season, but it looks like they'll be around the eight come season's end. Whether they'll be in or out, it's just too hard to predict.
