WESTERN Bulldogs youngster Christian Howard is nothing if not committed to establishing himself as an AFL player. A case in point is his attitude towards his upcoming 21st birthday.

Howard officially comes of age on March 19 - seemingly perfect timing for a party to celebrate the occasion in his native Adelaide given the NAB Cup Grand Final (should the Bulldogs make it) will be played on March 17 and the Dogs don’t play their season-opener until April Fool's Day.

However, after playing a total of six games in three bursts last year - during which he averaged 13 disposals - Howard is no fool when it comes to his fledgling AFL career.

"I was tossing up whether to have a 21st [party] or not, but I've decided not to," he said.

"It's too big an event to have just before round one.

"It's about priorities, and it's just one of those sacrifices you make along the way that hopefully helps you get where you want to be."

The promising left-footer is also making solid progress towards coming of age as a footballer.

The key has been his first niggle-free pre-season since joining the Bulldogs as their first pick - No. 15 overall - in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.

He hasn’t missed a session, and hasn’t even left a session early for treatment.

The continuity is reaping rewards. And so is a steelier mindset.

When the Bulldogs started pre-season training back in November, Howard was issued a difficult, three-part challenge: work his way up to the front in the running sessions; pile on as much weight as possible in the gym while reducing his skin-fold measurements; and become more physical on the paddock.

He has added about 5kg and has still managed to rank in the top echelon of Bulldogs - along with the club's veteran pacesetters, skipper Matthew Boyd, Daniel Cross and Daniel Giansiracusa - in their high-intensity running tests.

"Just learning to run with that extra weight has been difficult," he said, "but I'm slowly getting there."

Howard hasn’t been going anywhere slowly, and that includes his attack on the ball. He'll get plenty of practice in this area of the game (deemed a non-negotiable by coach Brendan McCartney) given he has been earmarked for a spot on a wing, where he finished last season.

"I'm happy to play anywhere - and it would be good to be looked upon as a versatile player - but I think the wing is where they want me," he said. "That's why they want me to build my tank, so I can run up and down the ground all day. That's exactly where I want to be, too."

And that's exactly where Howard found himself during the Dogs' intra-club scratch match two weeks back, when he matched up on Cross on the EJ Whitten Stand wing. During breaks in play, the pair discussed aspects of the game. Howard held his own in general play and received a masterclass at the same time.

"Before centre bounces I’d ask 'Crossy' about positioning and what he’d do in a particular situation, and he’s good with sharing his knowledge like that - and I'm all ears when he does," Howard said.

When Howard crossed to the Bulldogs from SANFL club Glenelg, Cross became his designated mentor.

"Crossy has taught me plenty," Howard said. "Everyone knows about his work ethic and the way he goes about it - it’s just perfect. He’s the benchmark."

The Cross influence over Howard extends beyond onfield matters.

"I also get a lot of my (dietary) supplements from him - when he gets an order, I get one too," he said. "I try to copy him in that, along with the other stuff."

Howard is also trying to ape a couple of premiership players from other clubs. One is Collingwood star Dale Thomas, who Howard regards as the ideal wingman. The other is Geelong champion Corey Enright. McCartney, a former Cats assistant, has told Howard to study as much footage of Enright as he can.

"Enright sweeps off half-back but he can also play in the middle," he said.

"I think it's good to model yourself on great players like that because you can pick up a lot of stuff you can apply to your own game."

Until the end of last season, Howard lived with another potential great, former Bulldog teammate Callan Ward, along with Sam Reid, at Ward's house in Altona.

Howard was naturally disappointed about losing his two mates but holds no grudges, despite the barrage of light-hearted sledging he continues to direct their way.

"They took the money and ran," he said.

"To be honest, I consider them traitors - and I tell them that whenever they ring me."

Seriously, any hard feelings?

"Nah, not really," he says with a grin. "When they come down for a visit, I say hello - and then kick them out pretty quickly!"

Howard is still living in Ward's house. It's been a case of OUT: Ward and Reid; IN: Tom Hill and Luke Dahlhaus. Different dynamics are at play now, with Howard going from being the youngest house member to the eldest.

"I've taken on a sort of fatherly role with the two younger blokes," he said. "I'm trying to teach them some good habits.

"We basically get home from the club each day and crash on the couch and fight over who's going to cook and clean."

Howard also confessed there were "a couple of holes in the wall" from kicking a footy down the hallway.

The Dogs have every right to be optimistic Howard will also kick holes in opposition defences this season.

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