VETERAN Dale Morris expects a new generation of Western Bulldogs defenders to emerge quickly after the club's backline was bolstered during the off-season.
He said snaring former Cat Joel Hamling and ex-Swan Shane Biggs and drafting young defenders Zaine Cordy and Roarke Smith has given the back half a much more balanced look heading into 2015.
"We have a good mix now of rebounding defenders, lock down defenders and tall defenders so it is not left up to one person," Morris told AFL.com.au.
Morris was part of an outstanding back six for the club during three consecutive preliminary final appearances with Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave, Lindsay Gilbee, Jarrod Harbrow and Robert Murphy being the mainstays.
Apart from Morris and Murphy, the Bulldogs now have emerging defenders Easton Wood and Jordan Roughead as well as developing players Fletcher Roberts, Michael Talia and Daniel Pearce.
None are big names but Morris understands better than most it's results rather than reputations that define defenders.
Morris expects the 200cm Roughead to become a valuable full-back given the rate of his progress after being switched into defence in 2013.
He is impressed with the way the 24-year-old reads the play and looks after his opponent but it's his height that he anticipates becoming a significant asset.
"You can really utilise [his height] to get turnovers if there is pressure up the field," Morris said.
Morris is happy to provide ideas to younger players on how to prepare for games based on what worked for him, but there was plenty of room for those making their way in the game to find out what worked best for them.
What he did know however was that successful defenders engulfed themselves in the game and understood opponents, opposition strategies, as well as their own game.
"To me education is power and if I know what is going on I can set up accordingly and I can help others as well," Morris said.
In the more immediate term however, with the role of leaders on the ground increasingly critical, he imagined having to support younger players during games.
"Footy is a chaotic game and there are all these scenarios thrown at you through the 120 minutes of footy," Morris said.
"To be able to prepare for every situation and scenario is quite hard and demanding so to be there to help these guys to relax, stay calm and almost reinforce that they know how to handle it will be mine and Murphy's role down back."
The Western Bulldogs conceded a goal 28.9 percent of the time after the opposition went inside 50 during 2014, the second worst record of any team and well below the AFL average of 25 percent.
They also leaked scores from clearances and was the fourth-most scored against team in 2014.
Morris admitted it takes time for sections of the ground to operate as a unit and understand how each member functioned.
But he did not doubt the character of those he had already played alongside and had a good early impression of Hamling, Biggs, Cordy and Smith.
Now it was about ensuring time is invested to create the synergy that underpins all successful defensive systems.
"It is all about relationships. It is all about building those bonds with your teammates," Morris said.
