With the AFL season just around the corner, training has stepped up in preparation for the JLT Community Series, as well as the newly-revamped edition of the code, AFLX.

Every off-season is critical for clubs, with recruiting the key, as well as implementing training programs and ensuring all players come back fitter, and stronger as they search for ultimate glory.

However, this year was slightly different for the Western Bulldogs, losing 600 games of experience, as well as their captain and on-field leaders in Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd.

These departures will make an impact in the leadership of the club, as well as the strength of the back-line for 2019 and beyond.

Injury-plagued defender, Marcus Adams, remains adamant that while those departures will be felt, the younger players coming in will be able to fill the void.

"[Murphy and Boyd] offered the most amazing leadership, but I think in their absence guys have stepped up and everyone has matured as a group," Adams told AFL.com.au.

"The guys that have come into the leadership have been really good, but I think everyone has taken ownership.

"I don't think losing 600 games of experience is going to hurt us, but I think it's something we'll notice out there."

New recruits Jackson Trengove and Hayden Crozier have added to their defensive stocks, while draftees Ed Richards and Aaron Naughton have excelled expectations thus far since joining the club.

Crozier has been rumoured to be a certain starter in the half-back role alongside Jason Johannisen, while Ed Richards has impressed Adams with his work ethic.

"I don't want to put any pressure on a young player coming in, but Ed looks like he has really good skills and a great footy brain," Adams said.

Trengove will be able to alternate over the ground, being versatile to pinch-hit in the ruck, while being a target up forward and strong enough in the backline if needed, "... the depth in the backline is phenomenal."

The Dogs campaign will kick off in Sydney with the AFLX competition, in a round-robin with Sydney and Gold Coast. Concluding that will be their two JLT Community games, hosting Hawthorn in Ballarat on March 3, before heading to Moe to face the Pies on March 10.

Their season kicks off with a trip to Western Sydney to face GWS on 25 March.