Koby Stevens was pigeonholed as an inside player at West Coast, but says he will be a more balanced midfielder with the Western Bulldogs after overcoming his injury problems and regaining some long-lost leg-speed.

When the Bulldogs traded pick 44 at this year's NAB AFL Draft in exchange for Stevens, the talk was that the Dogs had snared yet another hard, in-and-under type.

But Stevens has dismissed this suggestion, revealing he has finally conquered the osteitis pubis that had robbed him of his abilities as an outside runner.

Watch BulldogsTV speak exclusively to Koby Stevens on his first day at the Kennel on the media player above. 

In fact, the 21-year-old - who played 11 games in three seasons with the Eagles - says he has never felt more "powerful", or more prepared to establish himself as an AFL player.

"A lot of people might not know that when I was drafted as a 17-year-old, I was actually more of an outside player," Stevens told AFL.com.au.

But then along came the dreaded 'OP'. By necessity, he became more of an inside player.

Stevens' body started to "turn the corner" this year after spending last pre-season "tagging" Eagles star Daniel Kerr. He played just four games in the strong West Coast side in 2012, but felt he had improved significantly. He hopes he has just scratched the surface of his potential.

"In the WAFL this year I wanted more outside ball, and I did that - I was running and carrying the footy - and I want to develop that more," he said.

"My body finally feels AFL-ready. Hopefully after one more pre-season I'll be flying and I can shoot forward as well and play at half-forward and wing. Back when I was fit and firing, that's where I was playing.

"Over the last year I've gained a lot more confidence in my body, and in how much speed I've got back after losing it with OP.

"I'm doing leg weights for the first time. I never did them at West Coast because of the issues I had.

"My body feels really powerful at the moment - more powerful than I've ever been. If it stays right, I could be in for a good year."

However, Stevens knows he is not in a position to take anything for granted.

"There are no givens at the Bulldogs, and no givens in footy," he said. "I'm keeping it pretty simple: just work hard and get fit enough to play four quarters of high-intensity AFL footy. If it all clicks, hopefully I can play in round one."

That Stevens will work hard is a given. It's one of the reasons the Dogs wanted him.

"I've always prided myself on being the hardest trainer, and pushing my body to limits that it shouldn't go to; and trying to be the first there and last to leave," he said.

As he tries to reignite his AFL career, Stevens draws inspiration from former Eagles teammate Matt Priddis, a late bloomer at the highest level.

"Matty was a great mentor of mine," Stevens said. "He didn't start playing AFL footy until he was 21, and he did everything possible to get that gig. Now he's one of West Coast's best players."

Stevens left the Eagles for more senior opportunities and was excited by the prospect of developing with the Bulldogs' young list (which includes his childhood mate Clay Smith).

It was a whirlwind period. With the trade completed on a Wednesday (October 24), Stevens flew over from Perth that Sunday, joined the Dogs' first pre-season training session on the Monday, flew to London with the club on the Tuesday, and played his first game for the club - albeit an exhibition match - at The Oval on the Saturday.

Playing so soon in new colours was a surreal experience.

"It felt really strange - I didn't really know my teammates or the structures," he said. "The coaches just threw me in the middle and said, 'Go for it - enjoy the moment.' It was a great way to be welcomed to the Doggies."

He also caught a glimpse of the future - and liked what he saw.

"At times in London it was guys like Clay, Mitch Wallis, (Tom) Liberatore and myself lining up with Tommy Campbell in the ruck. We're 19 to 21-year-olds and we've all got a lot of improvement left in us."

Stevens wasn't always so fond of the Bulldogs. He made his AFL debut against the Dogs in 2010 - in a 10-goal Eagles' loss at Subiaco - and has only vague memories of the game.

"I was actually talking to the boys about it the other day. I can only remember about five minutes of it because I was concussed in the first quarter," he said.

When asked if one of his current teammates had been responsible for the knock, he said: "I couldn't tell you, mate. I don't even know how it happened. I'm just happy to be on their side now."