Rohan Smith has played a central role in the growth of the Dogs’ defensive unit over the past three years, and his latest project, draftee Marcus Adams says that the 300-game veteran has already had a major impact on his development in his short time at the Club.

The powerful key defensive prospect collected 13 disposals and 8 marks in a solid showing down back against Melbourne on the weekend, the 23-year old crediting defensive coach Smith for helping him understand the particulars of the AFL game after two years at WAFL level.

“He’s been really good,’ he told westernbulldogs.com.au

“Obviously being the defensive coach, I work a lot with him regarding the specifics of the game – things that I wasn’t doing, particularly early on, that I needed to do to fit into the structure and do what’s required to fit into the team.

“He’s been a big part of my development.”

Adams spent the past two seasons with West Perth where he averaged three intercept marks per match, placing him number one in the competition of any player to play more than three games..

While the 193cm 98kg Adams has the body of a ready-made AFL footballer, he admits that he is still adjusting to the speed of the game at AFL level.

“It’s a lot quicker,” he said.

“In the back line you get more involvements, like where the ball might take 15 or 20 seconds to get one end to the other in the WAFL, it might take 10 seconds (in the AFL), and I imagine it’s only going to get quicker. 

“So the speed of ball movement (has been an adjustment), but that’s just something we’ve got to adapt to.”

One thing that Adams does have that’s essential to any player looking to make their mark is the desire to get better at his craft.

“It was pretty hard at first, so much to learn, obviously a new game plan, new people, new environment,” he said.

“It’s been a pretty steep learning curve, but after getting a couple of games under the belt, that’s obviously where most of the learning is going to happen.”