Hard but fair is how Stewart Crameri describes Senior Coach Brendan McCartney’s teaching style and the new Western Bulldogs recruit is relishing his new environment.

The pair have a well-established rapport from their time together at Essendon in 2011 and Crameri said he hopes to become a more damaging forward under McCartney’s tutelage.

“The coach has been really good to me, Macca’s been good but also been pretty hard,” Crameri said. 

“That’s what I like about Macca because he does tell you the truth and tell you how you’re going.

“I’m quite enjoying their coaching and look, if we can win a few more games and I kick a few more goals then I’ll be happy.”

Mentoring the young forwards at the Club has also been a priority for Crameri since being traded to the Bulldogs in the offseason and he has taken the additional duties seriously.

“It’s important to stand up and lead the young forwards and tell them where to stand and what positioning to stand,” he said.

“It is quite important with a young side to try and help them out but I’m learning as well all the time so it’s vice versa, both roles.”

Time away from the Club over the bye has helped Crameri come back refreshed and focused on the remaining 14 games this season, as he aims to continue his strong early season form.

“You get a bit of a mental break and also just give your body a bit of a rest… so you’re not so sore coming into the next games,” he said.

“Hopefully in the second part of the season I can keep consistent and the team can start winning some more games.

“I think we have been really close in a lot of games so far, I think we’ve improved and the guys are looking good for the rest of the season.”