3. Defining periodย 

Many are expecting for the Dogs to have improved over the off-season, with their new arrivals hopefully having gotten to grips with the sides game-style.

The six week period from round 4-10 will ultimately shape the Dogs season. The side play Brisbane, Gold Coast, GWS, Richmond, Carlton, Port Adelaide and St. Kilda. There is a tough mix of genuine flag contenders and teams that will be around the Bulldogs' level.

If they can get through that with at least four wins, then they could be on track for a lofty ladder position come September.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats and Marcus Bontempelli of the Bulldogs in action during the 2019 AFL round 16 match between the Western Bulldogs and the Geelong Cats at Marvel Stadium on July 06, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)