The Western Bulldogs endured a rollercoaster season in 2022, managing to feature in the September action, but suffering a heartbreaking comeback defeat to Fremantle.
The Dogs featured in plenty of the off-season chatter, with Josh Dunkley finally getting his wish to depart the kennel, joining Zaine Cordy, Lachie Hunter and Josh Schache as they headed for the exit.
It wasn't all grim for the Dogs, welcoming Rory Lobb and Liam Jones as valuable inclusions, bolstering their list as they make another push for the top eight come finals time.
Heading into season 2023, with plenty of expectations placed on the club, we have named five burning questions hanging over the heads of the Bulldogs this year.
2. Where do the talls go?
The off-season inclusion of Rory Lobb is an interesting one for the Dogs. Pre-season accounts indicate that the former Giant and Docker has seamlessly slotted into the forward line, linking up with Aaron Naughton and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan inside 50.
Lobb kicked 36 goals across 21 games for Fremantle last season, and also looms as Tim English's likely ruck partner. 2021 draftee Sam Darcy also looks like a possible ruck option for Luke Beveridge after gaining some experience in the VFL, leaving plenty of magnets on the board for the Dogs.
The off-season also saw the club sign Liam Jones, a likely Round 1 lock in the backline, leaving Josh Bruce and Alex Keath now both competing for spots in defence. Depth is never a particularly bad problem to have, and after recent years at the kennel, will be a welcome change.
