The Western Bulldogs might have a top four list on paper, but that can only get a club so far - as has been the case for the Footscray-based side over the past several seasons.
Coach Luke Beveridge has a devastatingly destructive midfield at his disposal as the Dogs continue to uncover the next wave of onballers to support a top line of stars in the engine room.
The upside of the club's forward line is equally scintillating as their trio of tall forwards look to combine and drive the Dogs deeper into September this year.
Questions surround the backline, which will soon need to look to the future while planning to remain in premiership contention.
Looking at the Bulldogs' squad and breaking down their defence, midfield and forward groups, we've named a best 23 for the season ahead.
Our Best 23 for 2025 series will include players unavailable for the start of the season, except for those expected to miss most or all of the season through injury or suspension.
The backline might just make or break the Dogs' premiership prospects for 2025, with the club having struggled to find consistency down back over the past several seasons.
Liam Jones has been rock solid since returning to the Kennel, but the veteran stopper has been paired with a merry-go-round of tall defenders across the last two years.
Ruck-forward Rory Lobb's mid-year switch to defence in 2024 looks to have aided that concern, while James O'Donnell has continued to improve as a young lockdown defender.
O'Donnell looms as a key piece in the Dogs' long-term plans given the age of Jones and Lobb, while uncapped first-round pick Jedd Busslinger is a name to watch this year as he eyes a breakthrough into Luke Beveridge's side.
The Dogs also have Ryan Gardner and Buku Khamis as versatile aerial options who can slot into defence when required.
The Bulldogs' ground game has been steady over the last couple of seasons however, with All-Australian Bailey Dale now the first-string outlet at the Kennel.
His ball use and accountability have proven vital for Beveridge in tricky situations, while the move to attain former Hawk Lachie Bramble has also become a great list call.
The duo are joined by second-year dasher Joel Freijah as running options from the back 50, with veteran Taylor Duryea still reliable as a lockdown defender for opposition small forwards.
Fringe Dogs Jason Johannisen, Nick Coffield and Luke Cleary should also press for starting spots in 2025 as competition heats up down back.
Despite an off-season of senior exits, the Dogs remain stacked in the centre of the field as they continue to unlock the full potential of their emerging cast.
That trend was again evident last year with the rise of Ed Richards, who transitioned from an outside runner to a bonafide contested threat, adding another layer to a midfield unit consisting of ball-winning stars.
Captain Marcus Bontempelli is seen by many as the premier player in the competition, while his partner-in-crime Tom Liberatore has failed to see his in-and-under impact falter in the twilight of his career.
Ball magnet Adam Treloar enjoyed a career-best campaign at the age of 31 last year, with the Dogs having four highly-rated midfielders in their top line.
Underneath, emerging pup Ryley Sanders will look to cement his role and see out a full second season at the top level, while the Dogs have added experience in the form of former Carlton onballer Matt Kennedy.
Add in the depth of James Harmes and upside of Riley Garcia, and it's easy to see that the Dogs bat deep in midfield.
Luke Beveridge isn't short on wing options either, with Bailey Williams, Caleb Poulter, Harvey Gallagher and Oskar Baker all suited to run up the flanks.
The ruck situation is top heavy, with a lot relying on Tim English having an uninterrupted season if the Dogs want to go the distance.
Untried tall Lachie Smith is the only other recognised ruckman outside of English and Rory Lobb, with the latter now a required asset in defence.
Perhaps the most threatening part of the Dogs' game, with the forward pack stacked with commanding talls and lethal smalls.
Fans are yet to see the full extent of the club's three-headed dragon in Jamarra Ugle-Hagan. Aaron Naughton and Sam Darcy, with each proving to be a menace for the opposition but rarely doing so simultaneously.
All three have valued bids for the first-string forward role as they could all end the coming year with 50-goal campaigns.
At their feet, Cody Weightman is another X-factor presence with his goal sense and creativity as one of the game's most exciting young attackers.
Rhylee West's game has continued to grow in recent years, while the Dogs will hope the likes of Laitham Vandermeer, Lachie McNeil and Arthur Jones create headaches at selection.
Attention will be placed on mature-aged draftee Sam Davidson too, with the reigning Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner ready-made for AFL action as a sprightly medium-sized attacker.
FB: Bailey Dale, Liam Jones, Rory Lobb
HB: Lachie Bramble, James O'Donnell, Taylor Duryea
C: Bailey Williams, Tom Liberatore, Ed Richards
HF: Caleb Poulter, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Rhylee West
FF: Cody Weightman, Aaron Naughton, Sam Darcy
FO: Tim English, Marcus Bontempelli, Adam Treloar
I/C: Ryley Sanders, Joel Freijah, Matthew Kennedy, Riley Garcia
SUB: Laitham Vandermeer
Others to consider: Jedd Busslinger, Cooper Hynes, Ryan Gardner, Harvey Gallagher, Buku Khamis, Jason Johannisen, Nick Coffield, James Harmes, Arthur Jones