When you come from a small Wheatbelt town two hours outside of Perth, coming into an AFL environment is always going to be tough, but for second year Bulldog Tim English, having a supporting group of teammates around has him feeling right at home at the kennel.

English grew up on a wheat and sheep farm in Pingelly, a town of about 1200; the same little hamlet that produced former Saint and Bulldog, Nicky Winmar.

Currently sidelined with a foot injury, the young ruckman English has started to look more comfortable on-field in this second season, and is looking forward to continuing his development in the second half of the season.

“I was starting to feel a lot more comfortable out on the ground and in front of the crowds, so hopefully I can get a few more games later in the season and build on that,” he told Triple M.

“It was a big shock for me last year especially coming over interstate and into that environment where you're exposed to footy at all hours of the day.

“But I'm getting used to that as well and we have a great bunch of players down at the Bulldogs who get around you when you're from interstate so that makes it a lot easier.”

The developing big man has averaged 13 disposals, five marks and two tackles a game over the first seven rounds of the year, and has added 10kg to his frame since being drafted with the Dogs’ first section in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft.

But coming up against bigger bodies each week has seen him adapt under the tutelage of assistant coaches Steven King and Joel Corey, and play to his current strengths.

“I do a lot of work with Joel Corey and Steven King at the Club”, he said.

“Just around, almost sitting off and avoiding contact, and trying to take that front position late so I can get a jump at it.  At the moment, my jump and length is my strength.”

English is expected to miss the next 3-5 weeks with a foot injury.