A CATALYST of the Western Bulldogs' remarkable start to the season has been the sparkling form of Robert Murphy.
The veteran's dash, composure and leadership have been instrumental in the Bulldogs' impressive form.
However, the Dogs might have found a half-back heir apparent to the skipper in Lukas Webb, who's added another youthful dimension to the Bulldogs back six.
Webb, who has played only three senior games in his first season at the elite level, shares similar attributes with Murphy including elite kicking skills, evasiveness and a cool head under pressure.
"He's a perfect role model, but he's pretty hard to play like and I take in everything I can off him," the teenager told AFL.com.au.
"Some people say I'm too left-sided, but I've been working on my right foot, which I'm trying to get in to my game.
"He's one of the best (dual-sided players) in the competition and he tells me to make sure I can use both sides because it opens up so many opportunities."
Match preview: Bulldogs v Saints
Webb, 19, made an impressive debut across half-back against Hawthorn in round three and followed that up with strong performances against Adelaide and Sydney.
He had not played in the backline before arriving at the Whitten Oval after being selected at No.27 in last year's NAB AFL Draft.
"I never really played there as a junior, but I've been played there ever since I arrived at the Dogs and I feel really comfortable," Webb said.
"It looks like I'm a little lacklustre in the way I move around, but I haven’t been too bad handling the tempo.
"I've been pretty lucky to slide into the side so early, so I'm pretty stoked to play some good footy in a winning side."
His exciting form hasn't been lost on coach Luke Beveridge.
"He's going really well 'Webby', he's come in and not looked out of place at all in his first year of footy," Beveridge said.
"He's really adaptable and last week we started him on a wing and then we needed him across half-back and he handled it with aplomb.
"He's a great young fella and he's fitted in to our system perfectly. Lukas is really flourishing."
Webb attributes his strong start to his AFL career to the independence and discipline he acquired when he moved out of the family's Lakes Entrance home three years ago to take up a scholarship at Melbourne's prestigious Caulfield Grammar.
"At boarding school you have to lead a routine life and that's something the recruiters liked because it's pretty similar to life in the AFL," Webb said. "I brush my teeth at the same time morning and night."
