If Collingwood and Sydney had the championship belt as the must-watch teams of last season, it's about to be handed over and displayed around the waist of the Western Bulldogs.
If the ‘Dinosaur Dogs’ are playing (with their four tall forwards), I'll be watching.
It starts next Saturday night when the revolutionary forward line pits itself against the league's most organised defence.
Aaron Naughton, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Sam Darcy and Rory Lobb against Steven May, Jake Lever, Harrison Petty and the ‘Tap Brothers’ Max Gawn and Brodie Grundy trying to get back and fill some holes.
Coach Luke Beveridge joined Garry Lyon and Tim Watson this morning and spoke about why Darcy will predominately play forward and not back this season.
“We’ve got to look after him and we’ve got to temper his ground time,” Beveridge said on SEN Breakfast.
“It’s difficult to do that when you’re playing as a key defender, whereas if you’re playing as a key forward you can regulate that game time a little bit easier.
“He probably will play back here and there when we really need him, but we don’t mind the look of those boys playing together as they did on the weekend.”
Then there's the midfield, which mauled its helpless Kangaroo opponents.
They looked to have trained hard over the summer to take on the tackle. Early evidence shows a significant improvement in this area in Bailey Smith and Jack Macrae's game.
The Dogs’ midfielders all get massive numbers.
If his body remains sound, ruckman Tim English will push for All-Australian selection and benefit from Lobb's support.
Beveridge is excited about his Round 1 match-up against Melbourne.
“He’s covering the ground well and hopefully that Round 1 game is a great signal for him and for us that he’s going to have a good year,” Beveridge said.
And then there's the return of Liam Jones, who might be the most crucial recruit this year.
He's hit the ground running and has eased the nerves of the coach.
“Jonesy’s game really was quite outstanding,” Beveridge said.
“I think Easton Wood might have taken nine or 10 intercept marks in a game four or five years ago.
“I remember talking to Alan Richardson and ‘Richo’ was coaching the Saints and the Saints were the one (team) that used to play a negating forward on Easton back then.
“With the way that Liam played, it gives you a bit of peace of mind.”
Will the Dogs take the belt as the team - other than your own - that you're most keen to watch this year?
Will the Bulldogs be the team to watch this year?
If the Dino Dogs are playing, I'll be watching. How about you?