Teenager Jack Macrae reached the 30-disposals mark for the second time in three AFL games on Saturday, giving Western Bulldogs fans reason to celebrate.
After missing the top eight three seasons in a row, the Bulldogs might struggle to improve much on last year's 15th-placed finish. But at least there appears to be some talent coming through.
The key-forward pairing of Liam Jones and ex-Bomber Stewart Crameri, with three goals and two goals respectively, also performed well as the Bulldogs scored the final goal of the match to upset Richmond 15.10 (100) to 15.8 (98) in Saturday's round-three clash at Etihad Stadium.
Bulldogs' coach Brendan McCartney said Oakleigh Under-18 product Macrae, taken at No.6 in the 2012 draft, had come to the kennel as a pure offensive weapon in midfield.
The 191cm Macrae had a game-high 30 disposals against Richmond after tallying 31 in round one against West Coast.
"He arrived at our club with no idea how to find his man," McCartney said.
"He was amazed when we asked him to stand in certain spot at a stoppage.
"(He said) `What do you mean? I just go where I want'.
"So I don't want to knock that out of him. But what the coaching group has been able to do is that little bit of formality to his game.
"He's coming along really well."
Macrae has been paired with Geelong's triple-premiership onballer and Bulldogs' assistant coach Joel Corey.
"He's so much like Joel Corey at the same age, and Joel's doing a lot of work with him," McCartney said.
"We've got a really good young player who will develop quickly."
