MUCH has been made of the old guard's impact on the Western Bulldogs' fairytale renaissance this season.
Robert Murphy and Matthew Boyd have earned a spot in the All Australian squad at 33 years of age, Dale Morris has been as dependable as ever and Liam Picken's evolution into an attacking midfielder has been pivotal to the team's success.
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But the influence that the club's youngest players have had in the Bulldogs' run to the finals should not be underestimated.
Coach Luke Beveridge has unveiled eight debutants this year, the most a finals team has blooded in a season since Collingwood had nine in 2007.
Lukas Webb (10 games), Bailey Dale (10), Caleb Daniel (9), Toby McLean (4) and Zaine Cordy (2), all taken in last year's NAB AFL Draft, have hit the ground running, while delisted free agent Joel Hamling (10), third-year defender Josh Prudden (4) and rookie Roarke Smith (1) have not looked out of place either.
While only Hamling and Daniel (Dale is an emergency) have been selected for Saturday night's cut-throat elimination final against Adelaide, Bulldogs assistant Daniel Giansiracusa believes the team would not be where they are without the youngsters' solid contribution this season.
"They've exceeded expectations," Giansiracusa said.
"They have held their own when they've come in and that means we have healthy competition for spots and that holds the club in good stead.
"You look at the sides that have sustained success and they have good depth in a lot of positions."
The youngsters' immediate impact was timely after more than 800 games of experience left the Bulldogs' playing ranks at the end of last year.
Giansiracusa was part of that talent drain, jumping straight in to coaching after playing 235 games for the club.
He believes the youngsters are thriving because of the confidence and self-belief instilled in them by Beveridge.
"I think that's down to 'Bevo' and the environment he's created, because if you play well at VFL level you're a chance to come up to the senior team," Giansiracusa said.
"It doesn't matter what your date of birth is."
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With his playing career ending a year ago, Giansiracusa does not regret hanging up the boots and missing the chance to be part of another premiership tilt.
"No, not at all, I wouldn't get a game in this side," he said.
"I've had my opportunity, played in some (preliminary) finals sides and hopefully this group will go one step better than what we did.
"We've got the game to challenge, if not this year, into the future.
"I'm looking forward to having front row seats in the coaches' box."
