WESTERN Bulldogs defender Brian Lake will enter this season with a lighter frame after shedding weight at the suggestion of new coach Brendan McCartney.

Lake endured a frustrating 2011, playing only five games for the season and succumbing to debilitating leg injuries.

But McCartney said the dual All Australian was "happy" after a pre-season focused on doing everything to get his fitness to AFL standard. 

"He's lighter and leaner than he's been in a long time," McCartney told radio station 3AW.

"That's probably a testimony to the fact that he understands that at this stage of his career he's got to optimise everything."

McCartney, who spent 11 years as an assistant coach at Geelong and last season at Essendon, said he had used champion Cats backman Matthew Scarlett - and his wiry yet strong body - as an example for Lake to follow.

"I probably prodded him (Lake) about Matthew Scarlett and seeing him play so lean and light and so powerfully at that stage of his career, I found it quite inspirational," he said.

"And Brian picked up on that and understands he's been seen in that same echelon of player and with that comes a real responsibility to prepare well and do everything right."

Lake has been pushed throughout the pre-season but suffered a minor setback after Christmas with a calf complaint.

The Bulldogs expect the 29-year-old to rejoin full training next week, and McCartney said he was impressed by Lake's attitude as he strives to return.

"Probably the thing I've enjoyed most is him helping his younger teammates," McCartney said.

"Most fantastic players know more about the game than they realise because they live it every time they're out there and he's been terrific with that."

Follow Callum Twomey on Twitter at @Cal_Twomey

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs