Following the conclusion of another hectic, fast-finishing home and away season, it's time to prepare for finals football once again.
While eight teams' hopes of holding this year's premiership cup aloft remain alive, ten clubs' seasons are officially over after failing to qualify for September football.
Despite all the attention rightly being on the contenders, each bottom-ten side faces pertinent list management decisions that will shape its future.
Taking into account draft hands and off-contract commodities, we explore those impending decisions facing 2023's bottom ten.
Western Bulldogs
Indicative draft hand: 10, 17, 36, 63, 66, 84
Missing the finals despite having one of the more talented lists in the competition wasn't a good look for the Bulldogs. After being in the top eight for most of the season, a slip-up towards the end of the year was not what was needed at all.
Although missing September action, the Dogs have a very solid draft hand with Picks 10 and 17 standing out. Whether they take action in the draft or look at moving their picks along is the question.
Off-contract players:
Dominic Bedendo, Hayden Crozier, Taylor Duryea, Mitch Hannan, Buku Khamis, Robbie McComb, Toby McLean, Lachlan McNeil, Tim O'Brien, Caleb Poulter, Cody Raak, Roarke Smith, Jordon Sweet, Bailey Williams
The Bulldogs have a plethora of unsigned talent that they need to sort through. Plenty of youngsters who have only made a handful of appearances remain without a contract but that's not to say that they won't be offered a new deal soon.
Caleb Poulter moved to the Bulldogs after being delisted by Collingwood at the end of 2022. A speedy winger, Poulter played nine games for the Bulldogs in 2023 from Rounds 16 through 24. A mainstay in the side, Poulter will most likely be offered another deal after proving his worth.
Roarke Smith and Buku Khamis remain without a deal. The former did not play a single game in 2023 whilst Khamis only managed one. Despite injuries to the Bulldogs side throughout the year, the pair simply couldn't get a game under Luke Beveridge and his coaching panel.
Veterans Taylor Duryea and Bailey Williams have been integral players in the Bulldogs side throughout 2023 whilst Hayden Crozier has not been able to break back into the side. Crozier doesn't seem to be a needed contributor for the Bulldogs whilst Duryea and Williams cemented their place in the team.
List decisions
On paper, the Bulldogs list is one of the best in the competition. With stars all over the field, it's remarkable that they aren't contending for the top four. Unfortunately for Luke Beveridge's side, they slipped out of the top eight.
The team really doesn't need much other than possibly bolstering their backline. A handful of injuries has plagued the Bulldogs in 2023, specifically their tall timber. New recruit Liam Jones was solid for the side along with veteran Alex Keath, however, both struggled with injury during the year. Additionally, Josh Bruce announced his retirement from the AFL after suffering another ACL injury.
A crafty small forward to pair with Cody Weightman could also be an option for the Dogs and with the strong draft hand that they have, a trade could be a viable option. Most of the youth in the side just needs more time whilst the abundance of genuine stars on the team have been doing all that they can throughout the year.
Bailey Smith is one Bulldog who has been linked with a move during the year. In July it was reported that Geelong had Smith on their radar to add some speed to their ageing side. More recently, the Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains publicly addressed the situation, pointing out Smith's contract that keeps him at the club until the end of 2024.
