Thursfield made his debut in round 14, 2005 against eventual premiers Sydney.

However, the Bulldogs lost the following week against eventual premiers West Coast.

He led the club to a third place finish at the end of the season, losing to eventual premiers Manly in the preliminary finals.

In the Preliminary final Collingwood surprised many when they came within 5 points of the eventual premiers.

West Coast would go on to lose its first game for season 2007 by 39 points against the eventual premiers Geelong.

Otten made his debut in round 12 against eventual premiers Hawthorn, and played one more game for the 2008 season.

They were eliminated by the eventual premiers, Sydney, in the preliminary finals two weeks later.

The team was not disgraced to go down to eventual premiers Carlton by 13 points in their first-ever final.

Bryan played the following game in the preliminary final, 5-point loss, against eventual 2007 premiers Geelong.

The Tigers won that match 20-6 and were the third-last club to beat the eventual premiers before the finals.