Bulldogs won't look back to go forward in AFL

Luke Beveridge's charges haven't reached the summit since, with the 2021 grand-final defeat the closest the Bulldogs have come to glory.

But in trying to bridge the gap to the AFL's best, Bulldogs skipper Bontempelli won't draw on 2016.

"We try not to look back too much, because I'm a big believer in new stories and new journeys," Bontempelli told AAP.

"There's only a few guys around from 2016. 

"You can draw certain things and certain wisdoms from the past, but a big part of this group is it's our story to write. 

"That's what the hope and the eventual goal is. But as much as we can reflect, we want the inspiration to come from within, from the guys in the group.

"So without covering it in too much detail, we focus more on the now and who's in the room that can shape our next opportunity."

Superstar midfielder Bontempelli appreciates what he's taken from the flag a decade ago.

"I've obviously grown and matured from 10 years ago, being a 20-year-old kid to now being 30 and having had a vast amount of experiences," he said.

"Whether it's strong seasons where we play in the grand final in '21 and lose, and then other seasons where it's been a bit more challenging, all of those things probably shape you as a player. 

"But to think it's 10 years ago and how quickly 10 years has gone, hopefully it's a good omen, and we're back potentially celebrating more good football this year."

The Bulldogs struggled to beat top-eight teams last year and finished ninth.

"We're under no illusions of where we've got to get better," Bontempelli said.

"We don't feel like is a big gap - not a lot of blowouts by any stretch and a biggest losing margin of four or five odd goals.

"We should feel good about that, but it does feel like that's the hardest gap to bridge at times, to the best in the competition, who do it consistently well."

Bontempelli is confident the Bulldogs have the maturing quality within their list to start to stand up.

Friday night's practice match against Hawthorn is a good test, before an opening-round clash with premiers Brisbane.

"That will be my words to the rest of our group, 'let's not be afraid of testing ourselves early in the season'," Bontempelli said. 

"Embrace that, find out where we stand, hopefully, take a scalp or two in the first few weeks and get our season off to a good start. 

"Walk into that challenge head on, confident and understanding how we need to beat those teams in order to win more often than not. 

"So I feel good about it. And no better way to test yourself than against the best from the previous year."