The Bulldogs haven't made the top five since 2009, but hopes of ending that run received an enormous boost when former Canberra stars and ex-VFL duo Angus Baker and Alex Smout signed in recent days.

"The club's goal was to make improvements in the first year and to play finals the second (which will be 2022) and then basically push to win a flag in the third year," coach Jordan Taylor suggested.

"I think if we get on board with what we were doing last season and have the same buy in and we've obviously picked up a couple of players and we're going to have (VFL player) Josh Clayton full-time, I think the expectation is we play finals."

The Bulldogs claimed the wooden spoon in 2019, with just the one win, but the arrival of Taylor has helped transform the club.

Wodonga moved to eighth last season, posting four wins from the COVID-shortened 13-game season.

It included thrilling three-point losses to top five outfits Wodonga Raiders and Albury, with the latter posting an undefeated season.

While the signings are tremendous news for the Bulldogs, it's hard not to feel sorry for their fierce rivals Raiders.

Baker and Smout were linked with Raiders first when former Ainslie coach Chris Rourke was considering joining the club, but once he signed with Noosa for family reasons, it opened the door for Wodonga.

The 191cm Baker can play all three sections of the ground, but has spent most of his time in defence.

"I think I'll use him as a utility, I did that with Tom Johnson a little bit this year," Taylor offered.

"He's very versatile, can play anywhere, he's very mobile and has great hands.

"I think he'll probably start at half-back because that's where he's most comfortable."

Wodonga's double-barrelled coup has guaranteed the best recruiting start for any club.

A number of strong football minds, like Rourke, believe the pair will be comparable to any player in the league, while the club has also picked up former Finley captain Matt Wilson and emerging Osborne tall Michael Driscoll, while Reed Jackson will return once he completes a six-month tour of Australia in December.

The Bulldogs also snared former Hawthorn player Harry Jones, although it's only on a part-time basis as he's likely to play the bulk of the season with North Melbourne's VFL, where he claimed the best and fairest last season.

The club has lost only two regular senior players to the VFL in leading goal-kicker Ethan Redcliffe (Coburg) and Cody Szust (Port Melbourne), although he has nominated the Bulldogs as his second club, so could play more than a handful of games, depending on his form.

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Szust also featured in the club's top three for goalkicking with 19 and while midfielder Smout isn't expected to possess his uncanny goal sense, he will rack up more disposals.

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Meanwhile, Taylor will be hoping for a better injury run after only four games.