THE WESTERN Bulldogs are looking for a combination of youth and experience for their five rookie selections this year.

In the past the Dogs' financial situation has restricted the number of rookies it has taken but with assistance from VFL affiliate Williamstown and money from a fundraising evening it is looking to use all their available picks.

Coach Rodney Eade said he had been consulting with Williamstown to see if any players met the Bulldogs' requirements.

"Williamstown has given us a list [to help us make our decision]… there are players that are a combination of delisted AFL players to other VFL players," Eade told afl.com.au.

The Dogs promoted 2009 rookies Liam Picken and James Mulligan to the senior list at the end of the season, and delisted John Shaw, Henry White and Chris Ogle.

Their only retained rookie, Jamason Daniels, came to the club this time last year after it held a fundraiser to accumulate enough money to recruit him.

"It will probably be a combination of experienced guys who might be able to fill a hole but there may be some talented youngsters as well," Eade said.

"It might be a mixture. We'll see what names there are but there might not be much around after the Gold Coast has the first five picks."

The Bulldogs currently have a selection of former players training with them at Whitten Oval.

Former Dogs Malcolm Lynch, Shaw and White are taking part in their sessions, as is Carlton's Jake Edwards.

Williamstown pair Patrick Rose and Dane Rampe have also been invited to train with the club, as well as John Morris (Coburg).

Gaelic player Aiden O'Shea is on the verge of completing a two-week program with the club but will be considered for a rookie spot next year, while it is believed Maryborough's Eddie Prato has decided to concentrate on basketball instead of chasing a football career.

Eade said the three former Bulldogs were in the mix to be re-drafted. 

"We'll have a look at the way they're training and put them up against what else is available," he said.

"We'll make that assessment closer to the date. All of them are training well, which is pleasing."

Eade said Edwards, Rose and Rampe were impressing but denied any of the training group had been told they were sure to be drafted to Whitten Oval.

The Dogs have had recent success with recruiting VFL players but Eade said both Rose and Rampe still had some work to do.

"They'll be judged on their merits and what attributes they've got and what they can bring to the table, and if there is a role for them if they do develop," he said.

"It's whether they can play at AFL level. They might be good at VFL level but is there enough growth and improvement for them to get to AFL level?"

Eade said the Dogs had looked beyond their own paddock and the range of players that had recently trained with them, and could still surprise during the NAB AFL Rookie Draft on December 15.

"No one is a certainty," he said. "Just because they train at a certain club doesn't mean anything."

The Bulldogs do not have a selection in the NAB AFL Pre-season Draft. They will start from pick 19 in the rookie draft.