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Since their premiership in 2016, the Western Bulldogs have been one of the more curious cases in football.

Back then a young and hungry group was seemingly on the verge of a dynasty, but as we know that's not how things have panned out.

For a number of reasons, there's been a high turnover of players, with the team of 2019 barely resembling the one that stepped out on grand final day three years ago.

In fact, just 10 of that 22 are still playing regularly at Whitten Oval.

But while the drop off after that day was dramatic, the Dogs could rise again just as swiftly.

I believe they have most of the ingredients and, perhaps more importantly, the maturity for a more sustained period of success.

There's no reason why they can't be a contender next year.

Tenth on the ladder, with a below-average percentage of 95.8, it will probably be tough for the Dogs to sneak into the September picture this season.

But with Essendon looming on Saturday night, they're not without a chance.

And, if nothing else, the final three rounds provide this group with the perfect opportunity to sell itself to any free agents or trade targets they might chase in the off-season.

We know they have a war chest after the early retirement of Tom Boyd due to personal reasons, and Liam Picken because of concussion.

The fact they have been two key men down for much of the season further highlights how impressive their season has been.

Following the departure of Joel Hamling at the end of 2016 and the injury struggles of veteran Dale Morris, a key defender must again be their No. 1 target.

Magpie Darcy Moore's name has been bandied about, but because of his history of hamstring injuries he's also one to be wary of throwing big money at.

In Aaron Naughton they have one of the most exciting young players in the game and a guy who they can build a forward line around.

He's not afraid to fly from five deep, and the confidence he already has as a 19-year-old is incredible.

Naughton still needs some added support but get another pre-season into Josh Schache and he might be the man, alongside a more aggressive third tall like Billy Gowers.

Still, clearly the key to the Dogs' resurgence has been their midfield.

Marcus Bontempelli has almost flown under the radar while the likes of Carlton's Patrick Cripps and West Coast's Elliott Yeo, or Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield and Richmond's Dustin Martin get most of the attention.

But he's every bit as good as all of those guys with his ability to win the footy at the coalface, before spreading and breaking the lines.

Jack Macrae is prolific, "Libba" is "Libba" again, and Josh Dunkley has become a crucial inside player, ensuring the Dogs have found the right mix around the ball.

In the ruck, Tim English still has a lot of developing to do and still faces challenges against the game's best ruckmen, but he's also getting more exposure than Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy were at the same age.

He should really enjoy taking on Zac Clarke this weekend, in turn allowing his midfielders to play more off him, rather than trying to shark the taps of the opposition ruckman.

It's because of the Dogs' midfield strength they should prove too strong for the Bombers, with a settled and healthy on-ball brigade against a more makeshift set-up that Essendon have been forced to put on the park because of injuries.

Much credit must go to Luke Beveridge for the way he's reinvented this group. The manic brand of 2016 has been tweaked and again stacks up against the best teams.

Remarkably, what's let the Bulldogs down this year has been their performances against so-called lesser opposition.

While they've beaten Geelong, Richmond and the Brisbane Lions, they have lost to the likes of Gold Coast, Carlton and St Kilda.

As it stands, the Dogs are probably playing better footy than two or three sides in the eight, and if they do happen to sneak in, they could cause a few headaches.

September or not, this season still appears to be the perfect platform for 2020. And, come the trade period, the Dogs might be one of the destination clubs.