THE pressure and expectation that comes with playing Friday night football won't affect a young Western Bulldogs outfit, according to forward Toby McLean.

It will be the first time since 2012 the Bulldogs have been involved in the coveted timeslot, and it will come against a North Melbourne side ranked second for both age and experience across the AFL. 

While the Dogs are one of the competition's youngest and least experienced lists (14^th and 15^th respectively), McLean says the top-of-the- table clash will give his side a great indication of just how well they're going. 

"The boys are excited to play our first Friday night in a while, but to us it's just like a Saturday night," McLean told AFL.com.au. 

"It doesn't change anything at all."

The 20-year-old believes the youthfulness of Luke Beveridge's side has played a big part in the Dogs going from a bottom-four side to a premiership contender in only 18 months.

North expects dogfight, not shootout

"All the boys are really close because most of us are around that 20-25 age group," McLean said.

"It's probably why we play so well together because we have that trust and that's important."

The clever forward considers himself fortunate to play for one of the AFL's most exciting clubs, considering the path he took to reach Whitten Oval. 

Twice cut by the Dandenong Stringrays in the TAC Cup, McLean tried his luck with Oakleigh and ended up being best on ground in the Chargers’ 2014 premiership triumph. 

"I've come a long way after getting cut by the Stingrays because I thought it was all over and my dream wasn't going to come true," McLean said. 

"It's amazing how far I've come and it surprises me sometimes.

"I couldn't be happier and it's a dream come true."

However, McLean stresses he's not resting on his laurels, because with just nine senior games to his name, he needs to evolve with the coach's mantra of versatility and continual self-betterment.

And his forward line mentor, Daniel Giansiracusa, believes the Narre Warren product has the tools to become the player Beveridge envisages.

"Toby is naturally very talented, he has good game sense and isn’t afraid to take risks, which complements our game style well," Giansiracusa told AFL.com.au. 

"He has strong skills, is great in the air and a good overhead mark for his size. 

"We think Toby has the ability to develop his game to spend more time in different parts of the ground.'  

McLean credits the former Dogs' goalsneak with ironing out his kicking technique and teaching him the workrate required to be a dangerous small forward at the highest level. 

"'Gia' and I have a lot to do with each other and he's taught me a lot about my set shot routine because it was all over the place and he's guided me through what I have to do," said McLean, who had a career-high 25 disposals and two goals against the Lions last week.

"But workrate is the main thing with him because if I'm not getting the ball up forward, I need to push up on to the wing to get in the play. 

"I really look up to him as a coach too." 

While the two share similar playing attributes, Giansiracusa never had the ability to take a screamer like McLean did regularly during his TAC Cup days. 

And the high-leaping Dog believes it's about time he added to his impressive showreel.

"It just hasn't gone my way recently, which is a bit disappointing, but I think I'm due for one," McLean joked. 

"Hopefully in the next few weeks I take one screamer - I just need the perfect moment."