Western Bulldogs midfielder Lachie Hunter believes last season's dream run to the premiership can inspire the 2017 Dogs to go back-to-back.
The Dogs defeated Carlton by 20 points at the MCG on Sunday but still sit in 11th position on the ladder, and are one win and percentage outside of a finals place with just six rounds to play.
This time last season, Luke Beveridge's men were in third position, but were still not seen as a chance for the flag, and fell to seventh by the time September began.
Four wins against West Coast, Hawthorn, GWS and then Sydney saw the Dogs end their 62-year premiership drought, and Hunter says that could give him and his teammates a lot of confidence as they look to defend their crown.
"Even last year, at this time of the year, we were still a little bit off the top teams, so I think we can some take some great inspiration from that," Hunter told SEN radio on Monday morning.
"People said we wouldn't have a chance at this time last year and we saw what happened."
The Dogs round out the season with games against Gold Coast (H), Essendon (H), Brisbane (A), GWS (H), Port Adelaide (H) and Hawthorn (A).
