Leigh Matthews is concerned the Western Bulldogs are comparing themselves to their premiership year in 2016.

The Dogs currently sit eighth on the ladder with six wins and five losses halfway through the season.

Following their 46-point loss to the Sydney Swans, coach Luke Beveridge spoke about “reigniting the flame” in his post-match press conference.

“It’s my responsibility to get us going again and play somewhere near the levels we were last year regardless of whether we lose personnel,” Beveridge said.

But Lethal says the best thing a side can do coming off a premiership is avoid any reference to last year.

“The one thing you’ve got to avoid in the season after the premiership is last year,” he said on Football Preview.

“I hope they are not comparing themselves to last year, because that will kill them.

“Everybody wants to remind you about it, but the internal thing is to get away from last year. ”

Click PLAY below to hear Lethal’s concerns.