Western Bulldogs

Pre-season expectations: After a dramatic surge last year, ending in an elimination final in Luke Beveridge's first season in charge, there were two burning questions: would the Dogs challenge for the top four or had their rise been overcooked and was a step back on the cards?

Record: 9-4 (sixth)

What's gone right

Plenty. They have shown tremendous heart in a campaign that could easily have been derailed when skipper Bob Murphy's knee buckled in the dying minutes against Hawthorn in round three. Instead, the handball-happy Dogs remained focused, and are firmly in the premiership hunt. They boast the stingiest defence in the league, conceding 71 points per game, despite being without their first-choice half-back line for most of the season. Tom Liberatore, returning from a knee reconstruction, has enjoyed a fine campaign, and is one of the league's best inside midfielders. Marcus Bontempelli, who surely will be a Brownlow medallist in the next three or so years, had the first 30-possession or more match of his career, against Adelaide in round seven – and enjoyed it so much he has had three more since. Jake Stringer has delivered the full "package" up forward, and quickly learnt shrewd body work, rather than attempting high-flying marks, was generally the better method. Lachie Hunter has taken the next step, averaging more than 30 disposals per game, Shane Biggs has been an excellent running defender, former Hawk Matthew Suckling has delivered on the kicking skills he was recruited for, Jack Macrae has found plenty of ball, while veterans Matthew Boyd and Dale Morris have been reliable in defence alongside former rugby union player Marcus Adams. The Dogs, often sending a forward to a stoppage to outnumber their rivals, win about 24 more contested possessions than their rivals on a weekly basis – highlighting their vigour at the contest. Once the ball is won in tight, they look to handball to a teammate in space, boasting more than 700 handballs than their nearest rival. Their stirring win on the road against Port Adelaide was one of the game's of the year.

What's gone wrong

Their four defeats have been against clubs expected to challenge for the flag – Hawthorn (three points), North Melbourne (16), Greater Western Sydney (25) and Geelong (57). They have not beaten the Cats in eight years and there are questions over an attack averaging 91 points per game, and about eight points less against top-eight sides. They managed only 1.9 to half-time against the Cats – their lowest first-half score since round four, 2013. Injuries have also hurt, with the Dogs, at one stage, being without several of their first-choice defenders. Murphy's class and poise will especially be missed at the pointy end of the campaign. Importantly, dashing half-back Jason Johannisen (sidelined since round four with a hamstring) and Koby Stevens (round nine, abdominal) are expected to be back for match play in round 15. The Dogs are playing the long game with spearhead Tom Boyd but would have hoped for more by this stage. He has played two games in the VFL since returning from a shoulder injury. Luke Dahlhaus is on the mend from a medial ligament issue and the Dogs will hope he can recapture the form, which has him averaging 25 disposals. The Dogs sit in the bottom half of the table in terms of scores off opposition turnovers – something they would be keen to improve on, for capitalising on rivals' errors is the name of the game.

Stand-out star

A stirring six weeks of football leading into the clash against Geelong had many thinking Bontempelli could claim the sport's highest individual honour this year. So dominant was he in this period that three times since round seven, he received the maximum 10 votes from Beveridge and his counterpart. He has played as a midfielder and forward this year, and has relished finding plenty of the ball.

Who is under the pump

Will Minson is off contract and probably has played his last senior match for the club, barring injury. Tom Boyd is a long-term project but the price tag at which he came means he will need to match this on the field. Joel Hamling played in 11 matches last season in his first year with the Dogs but the former Cat has managed only three this season.

The run home

Begins with a trip to the SCG to face the Swans. This has major implications, for it could determine whether the Dogs ultimately finish in the top four. Wins against Richmond, Gold Coast and St Kilda should follow but major tests then await in the Cats and Kangaroos. A round-23 trip to Perth is not ideal.

What coach Luke Beveridge says

"We haven't achieved anything. We're 9-4 and stranger things have happened. We've got a long way to go and we won't change our approach from the perspective of being a week-to-week side. We've got some big challenges ahead, Sydney is a significant challenge in two weeks' time."

Grading: B+

Up next – Essendon