BRETT Montgomery's ambition to become a senior coach has been further strengthened by his promotion to senior assistant at the Western Bulldogs.
The former Port Adelaide premiership player and Bulldog has been given the added responsibility under Brendan McCartney after six seasons in various assistant positions.
Having been considered for the Power senior job filled by Matthew Primus in 2010, Montgomery has had the ambition to become an AFL coach for some years.
But he says that has intensified in recent seasons and is thrilled to have been given enhanced responsibility.
"I think it takes you four or five years to really work out what it's all about," Montgomery told AFL.com.au on Thursday.
"To make any rushed decisions about what you want to do in your first or second year would be a mistake.
"I feel quite comfortable about what I'm doing now and the pathways are pretty clear."
His new role will primarily assist McCartney in driving the club's game style, while he will also take some responsibility in the IT department to help ensure those who work there see the game the way the coaches do.
He will still work in opposition analysis but with an aim to grow other members of the team and at some stage, hand it over.
Having held an assistant role at Carlton for three years where he oversaw both the forward and backline, he moved to the Dogs in late 2010 to work with the defenders and later, in opposition analysis.
He said missing out on the Power job had been a blessing in disguise as it had enabled him to develop more coaching skills.
"Off the back of that, whether I was a realistic chance or not, it was good experience," he said.
"Now having the opportunity to work in another program under Brendan, it couldn't have worked out any better.
"There's no one way to go about getting your coaching apprenticeship but I think mine's quite rounded at the moment."
Key position player Tom Williams, whose 2013 was cut short by a shoulder reconstruction required after round 10, is training well and is poised for another year in attack.
The 27-year-old has battled a range of injuries throughout his career and has dabbled with playing in the forward line but has only managed five games in two seasons.
With both shoulders strapped, he completed one-on-one work with forwards development coach Cameron Mooney at training on Thursday morning.
"I think he was born to be a forward, or he tells me he was. He's got all the attributes," Montgomery said.
"That's how we're shaping his training at the moment. He's a fantastic athlete, we probably haven't seen him at his absolute best in any year that he's been out there.
"I think the way our forward line will set up with Crameri coming in and with 'Jonesy', I think they'll complement each other quite well."
Shaun Higgins continues to make inroads on his recovery from a foot injury and is set to play some pre-season practice matches, although the Dogs haven't decided whether they'll be NAB Challenge, VFL or simulation games.
"He's probably not all that happy with the way we progress him and hold him back; he's jumping out of his skin," Montgomery said.
"He's doing everything we want him to do but we will go slow and cautious with him."
