OVER the next few weeks, development manager Chris Maple will take a look at the Bulldogs' young guns and provide an update on their progression this season. He starts with the club's five third-year players, taken in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft.

JARRAD GRANT - selection No.5 overall
“He’s had a big week with his NAB AFL Rising Star nomination, which was good. He’s been fantastic this year; he’s improved out of sight. Confidence is an amazing thing. This time last year, his form was waning and I think he was actually playing at Williamstown reserves. He’s really picked it up and run with it and he’s done a great job.

“Rodney Eade said he’s part of our best 22 now, and his self-belief has increased to a good level. It keeps him playing good footy.

“There’s no reason why he won’t be in our side come finals time. His form has been pretty good and we’ve been really happy with his progress.”

CALLAN WARD - selection No.19 overall
“He’s had a long injury this year from the NAB Cup through to about six weeks ago when he went back and played a few games at Willy. He’s forced his way back into the side since and his form has been good.

“We’re hoping that will continue. He’s struggling a little bit at the moment with a hip flexor injury and we’re just going to get him right because we want him to finish off the year in a good manner.

“The injury isn’t related to his groin problems so we’re still confident he can get right and play an important part for us in September.”

SAM REID - selection No.35 overall
“Unfortunately for poor Sammy, he’s had a tough year. He had the groin operation and was diagnosed as a diabetic, and now he’s looking at a double shoulder reconstruction. He’s had one done already.

“He had forced his way back into the senior side but copped both shoulder injuries, which was sad. He’s a tough kid and we’re sure he’ll bounce back in 2011, bigger and brighter than ever.

“For the kid to go through what he did and to get back to play at the elite level shows his mental toughness. We know he’s physically tough with the way he plays, we consider him an important part of the group and he’ll work through these shoulder operations and come out the other side better for it.”

EASTON WOOD - selection No.43 overall
“He’s been fantastic with the games he’s played. He’s just getting better each week. We saw against Fremantle on Sunday his run and carry and his speed. His courage was also outstanding and gets better with every game.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing how Easton finishes the year off. I’m sure he’s going to keep getting better with more games.

“I think he’s moving closer from being a fringe player to a regular contributor to the senior side. He’s becoming an important part of the group.”

JARRAD BOUMANN - selection No.48 overall
“He’s played all year at Williamstown in the seniors, which is a stepping zone for him. Everyone goes through different phases in their development and for Jarrad, because he had a shoulder reconstruction at the start of his first year, he’s had a young, immature body.

“He’s worked hard on building that up and his form in the VFL has been quite good. He’s been close to senior selection at times. He’s very quick for a big guy and we think he can play at both ends of the ground.

“He just has to keep being consistent at VFL level. With our talls down back, it’s hard to get a game against Brian Lake and Dale Morris and Tommy Williams, so he’s just got to keep performing consistently at VFL level and hopefully we can see him break into the side.”

Guy O’Keefe, selection No.63 overall, was delisted by the club at the end of the 2009 season.