A multi-pronged Western Bulldogs attack will demand more attention from opposition defenders in 2014, Daniel Giansiracusa says.

A shrinking injury list and an increase in depth is expected to make the Bulldogs forward stocks a more daunting proposition this season, as the Club looks to build on last year’s late momentum.

The addition of Stewart Crameri during trade period was a major coup for the Bulldogs forward line, taking some pressure off the developing key forwards as they continue to mature.

“I think Stewy Crameri is going to really compliment him (Liam Jones) and the other forwards,” Giansiracusa said.

“Stewy has got a huge tank and those younger guys are still developing theirs, so I think that will really help us.

“As long as we can jell as a forward line I think we will kick winning scores.”

Giansiracusa believes that Crameri’s presence in the forward line will especially benefit Jones who has consistently attracted the opposition’s best defenders in recent years - despite just 56 games experience.

“[Jones is] working really hard at his game, he’s obviously a huge talent and someone that we are expecting big things from,” he said.

“I am looking forward to seeing that in the pre-season games and coming through.”

While Tom Williams has been influential up forward during the pre-season, fellow teammate Shaun Higgins also looks set to feature more prominently in 2014 as he makes strides in his rehabilitation from a foot injury.

“He is going really well, there has been a plan put in place – obviously the injury that he had last year was a significant one,” he said.

“He is ticking all the boxes so far and he will really start to ramp up the footy side of things in the next couple of weeks.

“We are looking forward to having him out there and in the games.”

The Bulldogs will however start the season without crafty forward Jarrad Grant who fractured his foot in a tackle last week.

“It’s disappointing, obviously he showed great signs late in the year and he’s had a fantastic pre-season, he’s taken steps again I think,” he said.

“But unfortunately that’s footy and we expect him to bounce back really quickly and I can’t wait for him to get back into the group once he recovers from the surgery and go again.”

As Giansiracusa enters his 14^th season on the Bulldogs list, his focus is firmly on providing onfield leadership and acting as a mentor to get the most out of the developing forward group.

“I’ve been given an opportunity to play the game again and there’s tough times in footy but it’s the best job in the world to get to run out here with my teammates,” he said.

“I am just really looking forward to being a part of it again.”