Versatile ruckman Tom Campbell is relishing the chance to focus solely on his footy this year - and his efforts are not going unnoticed, today being elevated off the rookie list.

Winning fans with a three goal haul during the Western Bulldogs NAB Cup campaign Campbell has gone from strength to strength.

Watch BulldogsTV's interview with Tom Campbell on the media player above.

After being named amongst VFL affiliate Williamstown’s bests in six of his seven appearances this season, the 20-year-old has been rewarded with a rookie elevation after defender Dale Morris was placed on the long term injury list.

Despite being sidelined for three weeks with a light hamstring strain earlier this season, Campbell returned in fine form on Sunday against Frankston, named best on ground for Williamstown.

“If you had said to me the day before the rookie draft that in six months’ time you would be where I am now I would be pinching myself - I have been loving every minute,” Campbell said.

Read the full story on Tom Campbell's upgrade to the senior list.

With Will Minson, Jordan Roughead and Ayce Cordy featuring heavily in the seniors, Campbell has been left to shoulder the majority of the ruckwork in the VFL and has embraced the opportunity.

 While he had been exposed to VFL footy playing for Bendigo Bombers last season, his added responsibility in the ruck has been a welcome challenge - and one that has taken his football to the next level.

“It has definitely been a step up from what I am used to. Last year when I was playing VFL I was playing 60% in the ruck and this year I have been more up towards 85% - 90% in the ruck, so it is definitely a lot more of a workload but really enjoying the challenge,” he said.

Watch Campbell's NAB CUP highlights reel.

“It means I am able to play more game-time and when you are out there for longer periods you get your hands on the footy a little bit more and gain a little bit more confidence.

“It also gives me a bit of certainty and continuity in my footy - every week I know I will be playing a big role in the midfield and set myself with that, rather than having to chop and change every week.”

Arriving at Whitten Oval with the Bulldogs 2nd round pick in the 2011 Rookie Draft (pick no. 27 overall), Campbell has  averaged almost 33 hit-outs per game in the VFL this season with the added ability of being able to rotate through the forward line.

After spending last year juggling a part time job in tele-sales, studying a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management at Victoria University, trying to maintain a high standard of footy in the VFL with a bit of manual labour on the side, Campbell is relieved that this year it is all about his football.

“It is probably a little bit less stressful,” he said, “I know that is my main job, whereas twelve months ago I was trying to juggle too many things.

“I am able to focus pretty much solely on my football… that is something that I have really noticed and is part of the reason why I have improved a lot this season.”

Campbell claims he came to the Western Bulldogs as a big kid at 201cm tall and weighing 98 kilograms, but needed to develop his body and core strength to handle the rigours of AFL footy.

“I was a big body but I probably needed to work on my strength - building that core strength that comes over years and years,” he said.

As well as just weights and strength work, Campbell has been honing a number of skills to become a more complete footballer.

“I am able to run further and faster and I am stronger and more able to handle contests,” he said.

“It’s also being able to understand my game better and I am better able to understand structures and how I fit in.”

Off the field Campbell believes his transition into an AFL club has been quite smooth with the support from Development Manager Chris Maple and Player Wellbeing Manager Brett Goodes.
 
“There are some really great people that make the transition easy - you have Chris Maple and Brett Goodes but also the great leaders at the Club,” he said.

“From the top you are able to talk to Matthew Boyd right down to the younger blokes and really make you feel comfortable.

“There is also a great camaraderie between the big men, although competitive for spots everyone is pushing each other to be the best we can be and Will Minson really leads that.

“He has been great for me and [Jordan] Roughead and Ayce [Cordy] have been great too - really good blokes.”