THE WESTERN Bulldogs' new mental approach was exemplified by the players' on-field response to Tom Liberatore's season-ending knee injury, according to Jack Macrae.
With such a young group at his disposal, new coach Luke Beveridge has preached the need for the club's less experienced players to step up this season.
Beveridge has also emphasised the need for his youngsters to play through adversity and show character when things are not going their way.
That mantra is particularly relevant now the Dogs have lost their 2014 club champion for the year.
Dog gone: Libba's season over after knee injury
"A lot of the young players stepped up (against Richmond) and ... one of the keys to Bevo's off-season is responding to adversity that is thrown at us," Macrae said.
"He's brought this 'one-and-a-half man' mentality, which is everyone looking out for each other and the young players stepping up and taking on the workload.
"Age is no excuse which for us is a really important message."
Macrae, 20, nominated fellow youngsters Lin Jong and Clay Smith as the most likely candidates to replace Liberatore in his inside midfield role this season.
There has been a big buzz about Jong out of the Whitten Oval this pre-season, while Smith – who is close to resuming full training after tearing his ACL in July last year – recently told AFL.com.au that he was targeting an early-season return.
"[Jong] has had an impressive off-season and if anyone watched the VFL finals, if he can play anything like that in the AFL and take that confidence that he brought, then he's going to be a pretty impressive player," Macrae said during the Bulldogs' Australia Post Community Camp visit to St Brigid's Primary School in Ballan.
"Also Clay Smith, who a lot of people have forgotten about, is coming back into form and he's training well so if he can build up some form before the season starts then we'll have two players who can really help out."
Macrae, who is going into his third AFL season, has worked extensively with stoppages coach Joel Corey and Beveridge on becoming a more rounded player.
He plans to continue building on a breakout 2014 season, in which Macrae averaged 26.8 disposals per game.
The young Dog was again one of the club's best against Richmond, gathering 25 disposals and kicking one goal.
"I'm working on a lot of things that I'm trying to bring into my game from last season. Not just being a player that gets a bit of the ball, but being a more influential player with my possessions," Macrae said.
"Also defensively really leading the way; especially with Libba out now, it'll be something I can hold myself accountable to."
