Senior Coach Brendan McCartney’s coaching mantra is not foreign to versatile midfielder Nathan Djerrkura - after all he played under McCartney’s guidance for four years while at Geelong.

McCartney’s influence is still evident years on - both love contested ball and take a highly team orientated approach when it comes to footy.

One thing that has changed is Djerrkura’s motivation over the pre-season and absolute focus on making the most of his opportunity to help make this team successful.

“I want to do my absolute best this year. I am going to try to do everything right,” Djerrkura said.

“Do all the one percenters on and off the field and do my best to make this team successful.”

Stringing together three solid performances in the Bulldogs’ starting 22, Djerrkura has rebounded quickly from the hand injury he incurred during the pre-season that prevented him from making an appearance during NAB Cup.

“I did break my hand so I was out for about five weeks but I was able to keep my fitness up and I started running about a week after I broke it which was pretty handy,” he said.

“It was a bit frustrating because I was hoping to get a run in the NAB cup to try to familiarise myself with all the new structures.

“But I was able to still sit in on the meetings with all the boys so I kept on top of it and I worked pretty hard to get back into the seniors.”

Providing an extra option in the Bulldogs’ forward line as well as some run through the Dogs’ midfield, Djerrkura has his eyes firmly on cementing his spot in 2012.

Djerrkura believes that now he is breaking into the senior side, he needs to up the intensity and work even harder to validate his position and play his role for the team.

“I know I have got to work even harder now that I am playing [in the seniors], so I try and do what I have to do for the team and hopefully try to keep my spot,” he said.

“I have to lift my work rate and my intensity which I am trying very hard to improve at and I am slowly getting there.

“Things have stepped up a level this year, not just for myself but for all the other boys.”

Taking inspiration from senior players Daniel Giansiracusa and Dale Morris, Djerrkura is first to admit that he has a lot to learn to become the best AFL footballer that he can be.

While Giansiracusa has acted as a mentor - sharing advice and wisdom during training and on game day, Djerrkura also looked to Morris to help guide him through his injury rehabilitation during the pre-season.

“I need to learn a lot more to be a good AFL player and I am lucky enough to have heaps of guys with all that experience that I can learn off,” he said, “…I am going to take advantage of them and try to learn off them.

“Gia has been helping me out a bit on match days and during training because we play up in the forward line and while I was in rehab I have done a fair bit with Dale Morris - so I have been getting a bit off him as well.”

Having a past mentor in McCartney join the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval has also buoyed Djerrkura’s enthusiasm and determination.

“I played under him for four years down at Geelong and learnt a fair bit while I was down there,” he said.

“He was the midfield coach and I would grab him on days and would do a bit of extra work

“He would help me out with my individual game - what I need to work on and what I need to improve on.

“So it has been good that I have known him before he came here… he’s bought a good change to the club.”

In 2011 Djerrkura was given a fresh start being traded to the Bulldogs and as he establishes his worth in his second year at the Club, Djerrkura is determined to make an impact.

Last year he made eight appearances in the red, white and blue and his form so far this season indicates he will be pressing for selection a lot more frequently in 2012.