THEY may have fallen short of the 2007 Grand Final, but Brady Rawlings says the Kangaroos haven’t spent the summer working on a new game plan. Instead, they’ve been teaching the old ways to the new kids - and judging on Friday night’s performance, there’s plenty of talent waiting in the wings.

While quiet by his usual standards, the Kangaroos tagger was singing the praises of his younger teammates after their loss to the Western Bulldogs in Darwin.

“My own game was probably the same as the rest of the midfielders. We probably didn’t get to enough contests and we weren’t as good around the ball as we normally are," he said.

“But a couple of young blokes stood up. Lachlan Hansen did pretty well, and young (Leigh) ‘Patch’ Adams was pretty good as well.

“It was good to see the young blokes take their opportunities.”

Hansen, who is yet to play a premiership match, led the way from the wing with clever disposals and defensive pressure around the ground. After the match, coach Dean Laidley said he hopes to turn the skinny Gippsland lad into a bulky key-position player.

The club will bring other good news back south – the successful return of Nathan Thompson.

“I think the big fella pulled up all right,” says Rawlings.

“It was good to get him through and get back for a game of footy. He’ll be better for the run.

“Footy fitness is a lot different to running around doing training. Obviously he’s not going to be at peak fitness until into footy season.

“I’m not sure what his program will be for the pre-season but he’ll be better for the run tonight.”