The Western Bulldogs young brigade are looking to close the gap between the veterans and their own output in 2013, according to second year midfielder Clay Smith.

Eager to take some pressure off the older bodies, Smith said the younger players want to shoulder more responsibility this season.

“We are trying to narrow the gap… we don’t want to rely on the older boys all the time and we don’t want to have to always have the pressure on us,” Smith said.

“We are just trying to get a nice even contribution from everyone.”

Smith said the current crop of young midfielders have made significant headway in their development over the pre-season, after showing some promising signs in 2012.

“I think the younger boys this year in the midfield have come along a fair way in the pre-season, we have put on a bit of size and have all got a fair bit fitter,” Smith said. 

With the likes of Luke Dahlhaus, Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore rising through the ranks in the past two seasons, Smith is in good company.

In a quest to cement his spot in the starting 22, Smith also put the onus on himself to improve his kicking efficiency in the pre-season and said his increasing confidence is helping him hit targets.

“I just want to… play regular senior footy and play consistent footy,” Smith said.

“I have worked a lot on… mostly my kicking over the pre-season so that was probably one of the big things.

“I started backing myself a little bit more and hitting my kicks, so just a little bit of that is helping.”

Smith is calling on all members and fans to stick with the Bulldogs as they enter a new era and said the future looks bright at the kennel.

“We know it has been a tough couple of years but it is only looking positive from here, so we just want as many [members] to jump on board and stay with us,” he said.