Enjoying life and what shapes as a more attacking game plan under new coach Luke Beveridge, Liberatore said the Dogs, now boasting greater versatility, had good reason to believe they would build on the seven wins of last season despite losing more than 800 matches in experience, with former skipper Ryan Griffen, Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney and Shaun Higgins leaving and Daniel Giansiracusa retiring.

"I think it is, yeah," Liberatore said when asked if finals were a realistic aim. "But as I said before, it's all about improvement. I think if we band together well, I think we should win more games than we lose."

The Dogs have the third-youngest list, prompting some within the football industry to suggest they will again finish among the bottom six.

However, Liberatore says Beveridge, the back-line coach with premiers Hawthorn last year, has made it clear he wants his men to play a more attacking game.

"He has just brought a different look to the game in terms of structure and ball movement, especially, and also a different look in terms of relationships and how he has dealt with the young group and allowed us to tackle his work straight away and not get overwhelmed by anything," Liberatore said.

"He is pretty calm and clear and concise in what he wants out of us. He has been really good from the start.

"He has made it quite clear that blokes have got to let their talent shine. You have got to play to your strengths and also in terms of versatility as well."

Liberatore, who claimed his maiden best-and-fairest last year, said the likes of small forwards Lachie Hunter and Luke Dahlhaus could expect to spend more time in the midfield.

"We probably didn't run enough players through the midfield [last year] - that's what we intend to do this year," he said.

"Nathan Hrovet, Lachie Hunter, Luke Dahlhaus and Jakey Stringer have all gone through there a bit more. And Jacko MacRae will probably come inside a bit more. It's just going to be a well-rounded midfield and try and spread the love."

The Dogs let opponents hit a target by foot 67.9 per cent of the time last season - the highest percentage conceded in the competition. Only Greater Western Sydney conceded more marks inside 50. When the ball was inside defensive 50, the Dogs allowed a goal 29.3 per cent of the time - the second-worst average.

"Pressure, we have made it clear it is a non-negotiable. And we have a pretty big responsibility on pressure at the source," Liberatore said.

"Regardless of which line of the ground it is in, pressure at the source is going to be a big thing, and it stretches out from that, how the second layers and third layers help defend from that."

While the Dogs will again pride themselves on contested possession, which was the mantra of former coach Brendan McCartney, Beveridge is expected to allow his men to show greater flair - when the opportunity permits.

"We have made sure we are going to have more depth in positions and blokes have got to learn [this]. On the flipside, if a Stringer or Hunter try and take screamers and show their flair, he is not going to hold them back. It's about getting the best out of everyone," Liberatore, now part of the leadership group, said.

"I don't think we were held back [last year]. The game style was quite well known - it was all about being pretty heavily reliant on contested footy and that kind of stuff. This year we have added another dimension to it. It has allowed us to take the game on a bit more from the start."