We're on our way up, says top Dog

Brendan McCartney beleives his young team aren't too far off the mark on the AFL big stage. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

BRENDAN McCartney says the Western Bulldogs are further advanced in their progression than outsiders think.

The Dogs coach was quick to pounce yesterday on a question about his team's progress, desperate to set the record straight about the perception improvement could be up to five years away.

"What has been lost in translation through some headlines is that we've put a lot of work, coaching and AFL gametime into a lot of young people over the last 2-3 years," McCartney said.

Murphy gets captain's gig

"I said history will show it takes 5-6 years for a player to emerge and handle the game. If you happen to be in a position like we are where you've got a lot of young people, it can take 5-6 years for that team to really feel comfortable in big games.

"But that doesn't mean you don't win a lot of games along the way and become a really competitive club.

"We may be a little more advanced than some people think outside our club ... a little closer along the journey than people think.

"We're learning to be much more functional around the ball and defend and once you put those things in place, the scoreboard has a way of taking care of itself."

Bob Murphy will lead the Bulldogs into their season opener against Brisbane on Saturday with captain Matthew Boyd out for up to three weeks with a calf injury.

But far from bemoaning that loss, McCartney said there were plenty of young pups "itching" for their shot in his stead.

"When we told (the team) that Boydy wouldn't be playing, there were a lot of eyes in the room that lit up with (thought of) an opportunity," he said.

McCartney said three of the club's other mature-age recruits - Tom Young, Brett Goodes, Nick Lower and Koby Stevens - would play after impressing in the NAB Cup.

The Dogs will test Adam Cooney today and are upbeat about his chances despite the speedster spending time in hospital last week with a knee infection.

Tom Williams will rejoin full training next week with an eye to a Round 2 or 3 resumption, while Shaun Higgins is raring to go.

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