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.
3. Did they extend Beveridge too early?
Beveridge first took the reins at the Western Bulldogs for the 2015 AFL season, going on to coach the club to a drought-breaking premiership win the following year. In the years following their 2016 flag though, the Bulldogs dropped out of the eight, before rising in 2021 to make the grand final, eventually defeated by the Demons.
Beveridge's contract was due to finish at the conclusion of the 2023 season, with the Dogs re-signing him last year until at least the end of 2025. While having their coach locked away is great to prevent speculation and pressure as the year wears on, it's also a big call to make before the ball has even been bounced to start the season.
With the club facing a tough start to the season, the club may be rueing the fact that they didn't let their premiership coach prove he can make history again. But, as we saw at the Saints, extending contracts doesn't always mean that coaches are safe.
