Entrenched in the Western Bulldogs football department even before his name was even called out on draft day, Brett Goodes is dedicating 2013 to building on field chemistry with his teammates.

Acting as club confidant in his role as Player Wellbeing Manager in 2012, the mature aged rookie had an early start on his fellow draftees, having already established a solid rapport with the playing group – a point that is not lost on Goodes.

“I don't really feel like I'm starting from scratch like the other draftees. I feel more like one of the boys, and I enjoy feeling that way,” Goodes told The Age recently.

“That was something I've had to be careful with in the last two years, making sure in the role I had that I didn't cross any lines.

''I had to make sure I didn't go out with the boys, or do too much socially. You have to be careful you don't cross over too much, otherwise the boys will see you as one of them and they won't come to you with their issues and things that they need to talk about.”

Goodes said the familiarity with the players, staff and surrounds has made the transition a lot easier from staff member to professional footballer, even if it still seems comical at times.

''It's been different. Instead of walking into the office you walk in and go straight to the change rooms. I find that funny,” he said.

“But the change has been good and I think it's helped that I'd already been able to build some relationships and get to know people so well.

“Sitting in the meetings and learning about the game plan - all those things are pretty new to me, so the other guys have been helping me out with that, but I'm loving it. It's nice to go in there and think, 'my job now is to train'.''

The journey to the Bulldogs has not been so clear cut for the defender, who had all but given up on his AFL dream in pursuit of a career in player welfare – but now it is within grasp he refuses to let it slip.

Prompted by senior coach Brendan McCartney to participate in pre-season training, Goodes took the opportunity with a mindset on improving his fitness ahead of the VFL season.

In a turn of fate, Goodes’s improvement and attitude over summer was enough to impress the Bulldogs recruiting team.

''I just want to enjoy it and make the most of it. I didn't know what to expect or what it would be like, even though I was at the club already, but I feel like I can do it.

“I love the training and I love all of the work. There's never been a moment where I've thought I can't do something.''

His brother, Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes, said he was proud that Brett overcame the odds to be given the chance at an AFL career.

''When he told me he was going to be playing as a rookie it was just such a proud moment,” Adam told The Age.

“I was so happy because it was something I knew deep down he really wanted, even when he made that decision to concentrate on his career and change his priorities and move away.

“It was a big decision to make, and it's just a great story of persistence and hard work and determination.”