WESTERN Bulldogs defender Ryan Hargrave believes assistant coach Leon Cameron is an ideal candidate for a senior post but doesn't want the club to lose him.

Cameron, he says, has the mettle and qualities to hold a top job, though Hargrave hopes it won't be at Richmond – or anywhere other than the Kennel.

"I can absolutely see him coaching, but I wouldn't want to lose him from here," he told afl.com.au.

"Hopefully down the track sometime when Rodney (Eade) decides to hang his hat up, Leon can slip straight into the Bulldogs role."

Hargrave, 27, has had a lot to do with Cameron since the former Bulldog and Tiger arrived at Whitten Oval for the 2004 season.

Formerly the backline coach, Cameron has since taken control of the midfield and is Eade's longest-standing assistant.

"He's great, he does a really good job around here," he said.

"He plays a very prominent role on game days and at training sessions. He was backline coach for a year or so there, and he had a fair bit to do with me and was really good.

"He really helped my game along. He played a very similar role to what I do: the running-off, attacking player from the backline.

"He's been really good with all of us."

Hargrave, who will play his 150th game against Richmond on Friday night, said Cameron worked with the defenders from time to time.

"He still comes and has a fair bit to do with all of us, and he looks after everyone being the assistant coach," he said.

"He's a great guy outside of football and he's a great guy to have a chat to. He's very easy-going and can have a joke as well. He's got both sides really well covered so when he needs to do the job and be serious, he can do that.

"Then you can also talk to him outside footy as if he was one of your mates. He's very approachable."

Click here to read more about Hargrave's interesting link to Cameron in his 150th game feature on westernbulldogs.com.au.