WESTERN Bulldogs youngster Jake Stringer has dropped 5kg as he prepares for more time in the midfield this season.
Stringer, who kicked 26 goals from 18 matches in 2014, has been a standout during the Bulldogs' pre-season match simulation drills, with his forward line play earning rave reviews from teammates.
However with recruit Tom Boyd stationed inside 50, coach Luke Beveridge has proposed a hybrid forward/midfield role for Stringer in 2015.
Stringer, 20, has dropped to 88kg in preparation for the season after floating between 92 and 93kgs last season.
"Bevo (Beveridge) is really big on being able to play multiple roles which is good for everyone, so you're not just stuck playing in the forward line," Stringer told AFL.com.au on the Bulldogs' Australia Post Community Camp in Ballarat.
"There'll be a lot of boys playing in different positions this year."
Having Boyd, who was traded from Greater Western Sydney for 2014 Dogs skipper Ryan Griffen, as the focal point up forward creates opportunities for other players to bob up.
No longer does Stringer, who stands at 192cm, have to play as the power forward, which in turn suits the Bulldogs' strategy of faster ball movement under Beveridge.
Boyd and Jack Redpath are set to act as the key targets, which will allow Stringer and Stewart Crameri to roam up and down the ground and use their fitness to advantage.
Rounding out the Bulldogs' attack will be the damaging small forwards Luke Dahlhaus, Lachie Hunter, Nathan Hrovat and Mitch Honeychurch.
"Last year me and Stewy (Crameri) shared the number one defender," Stringer said.
"Having Tom (Boyd) and Jack (Redpath), one of us (Stringer or Crameri) is at least going to get out and have the third or fourth defender, so it's going to be a pretty dangerous forward line."
As static as their forward line style was last year, the Bulldogs were also found wanting in defence.
The Dogs ranked 16th in points from turnovers (92.1 points), 15th from points from clearances (96.5) and 15th from points from kick-ins (44.5).
Beveridge has introduced games of soccer at the start of training to improve the team's defensive-based running.
The benefits are twofold.
First, soccer provides the players with an enjoyable activity to get the legs moving before focusing on football-specific drills later in training.
Second, the soccer sessions are a teaching tool for players on how they should transition from attack to defence, a crucial part of the club's game-plan this year.
"It teaches us two-way running and to react to turnovers quicker," Stringer said.
"It's something in the past that we haven't been that flash at.
"Bevo has been big on it and it's helped us out heaps."
Stringer believes Beveridge's coaching style will allow the players more freedom when moving the ball up the ground.
"It'll be a lot more exciting for everyone to watch, rather than going backwards and sideways all the time," Stringer said.
"It means we'll be a little bit more deadly when we go forward towards goal."
