WESTERN Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has suggested that Marcus Adams might have produced one of the best opening fortnights by a rookie key defender in history.
The 22-year-old West Australian, selected with pick No.35 at last year's NAB AFL Draft, has been a revelation with his strong marking, long kicking and calculated aggression in big wins over Fremantle and St Kilda.
Just days after Dogs forward Jake Stringer was compared to Geelong legend Gary Ablett, Beveridge was happy to heap praise upon Adams' burly shoulders, describing his efforts as "enormous".
WATCH: Luke Beveridge's full post-match press conference
"I'm not sure, over history, too many key defenders have played two games like that up front," Beveridge said after his side's 58-point victory over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
"They don't often kick goals, key defenders, but the amount of saves, the aerials and the ground-ball wins have just been quite outstanding.
"He's worked extremely hard with his teammates and Rohan Smith on what's expected down there. We did ask him to change – he wasn't this kind of defender when he came to the club – but his first two performances have been nothing short of magnificent, really.
"He's set a pretty high benchmark early."
Teammate Matt Suckling is also excited about the former West Perth player's output given Adams is still finding his way.
"We probably thought he'd come in halfway through the year and play well, but not from round one," Suckling told AFL.com.au.
"Up until Christmas he was still finding his feet in the system but to his credit he's hit the ground running and he's growing in confidence each week. He's a really powerful player."
Adams has been a major contributor to a miserly Bulldogs backline which, along with stronger team defence, has helped keep both Freo and the Saints to just five goals apiece.
This added defensive steel makes the Bulldogs an increasingly tough proposition, given they are known as one of the most attacking, up-tempo teams in the AFL.
Ex-Hawk Suckling sees "little similarities" to the defensive system that has piloted Hawthorn to the past three premierships.
"'Bevo' was obviously Hawthorn's backline coach for a few years and we like to play an aggressive style of footy all over the ground, which is probably a little bit similar to Hawthorn," Suckling said.
"The guys down back worked together really well all pre-season and they've got a lot of confidence in themselves and in each other.
"If guys like Marcus Adams, Dale (Morris) and 'Woody' (Easton Wood) can keep taking grabs down there, it's pretty powerful because it means we can get the game back on our terms and sets up our whole game.
"And if the rest of us can anticipate it early and make some space to receive the ball, we'll have every chance to hurt the opposition."
One Dog who hurt the Saints and showed superb defensive decision-making was Jason Johannisen, who produced a pivotal play in the second quarter. After intercepting a handball at half-back, Johannisen took off on a scintillating, bouncing run before hitting a leading Stringer with a sizzling pass.
"It was a big play," Beveridge said. "The hedging of whether or not you come forward or retreat, he just got it perfect. You don't see that (too) often. He's obviously speedy, he's quick, and it was just an outstanding play."
