Star Western Bulldogs recruit Stewart Crameri is spending one day a week in midfield training as he looks to expand his on-field AFL role.
While the main reason for his move from Essendon is to bolster the Bulldogs’ inexperienced attack, he is looking beyond the forward line at his new home.
Crameri kicked more than 30 goals in his last three seasons and securing him was a significant breakthrough for the low-scoring `Dogs.
Asked about his main priority at the Bulldogs, Crameri said: “obviously forward line first and teach the younger guys coming up, like Liam Jones and Jarrad Grant, to try and give them a bit of a hand with forward line structures.
“But also pinch-hit in the midfield when I can.
“Chemistry is the main one – if we can understand each other and the way we lead (for the ball), the way we play, it’s going be a huge asset.”
Crameri has not played up the ground for three years and is determined to go into the centre square when possible.
“I’m doing midfield stuff once a week now and hopefully I will get a hitout … late in quarters, just to change it up,” he said.
“I think that will be an important role for the team.”
Crameri was in a group of players who went on the club’s costly pre-season camp in Colorado.
The AFL announced on Tuesday it had fined the Bulldogs $5000 for an administrative error, where the club failed to notify anti-doping authorities of the players’ whereabouts during the trip.
While the fine is an embarrassing aftermath for the club, Crameri said the trip had been invaluable.
“We wanted to go over and get to know a few of the guys,” Crameri said.
“We did about four hikes, that was pretty hard on our bodies.
“But it was mainly fitness and getting to know everyone.”
Crameri added he had never been on an overseas training camp with Essendon.
The 25-year-old said he is in full training after an off-season ankle operation.
“There are no hiccups so far and the body’s fine – I’m doing all the training,” he said.
“I’m 100 per cent.”
Crameri is also talking up the Bulldogs’ prospects after their encouraging finish to this season.
“The contested side of things, the guys are very strong,” he said.
“The way they go about their training is very elite.
“They’re going to be pretty good next year.
“They were pretty good in the second half (this year) … so if we can keep rolling on from that and win some games early, we can have a good season.”