The Western Bulldogs will take a depleted squad into next Saturday's NAB Cup opener, but on the evidence presented during Friday's intra-club hit-out at the Whitten Oval, Bulldogs fans would not want to miss a minute of the clash against Sydney.

The star of the hit-out was Ryan Griffen, who might be about to take the competition by storm. After two seasons spent primarily as half-back/burst midfielder, the 21-year-old is set to make the transition to full-time midfielder and he appears ready-made for the role.

Griffen dominated in the first term on Friday, helping the 'Red' team jump to a four-goal lead at the first change, before swapping sides and helping the 'Blue' team even up the match thereafter. The standard and the intensity of the match dropped off considerably after quarter-time as the 30-degree heat and the wind picked up, but Griffen ran tirelessly throughout, slotting class goals in the final quarter.

"We think he's a good, young lad…" coach Rodney Eade quipped afterwards. "If you hadn't already noticed!"

"He's going well, he's going to play more in the midfield this year and he's had a very big pre-season. But as you can imagine with any young player going into the midfield, there's a lot to learn. He's got to learn the two-way role of a midfielder but he's certainly taken his fitness to another step."

Griffen will enjoy playing alongside perennial Brownlow contender Scott West who was prolific throughout the first half before being rested and big-name recruit Jason Akermanis, an instant crowd favourite at the Whitten Oval who racked up possessions at will, more than 30 according to some estimates, without appearing move at anything close to full speed.

And an already crack midfield appears set to be further boosted by Shaun Higgins, a top-10 draft selection in 2005 who played just five senior games before suffering a fractured elbow. Higgins improved as the game progressed and booted two goals in the third term.

Eade was buoyed by the form of his senior players and in addition to West and Johnson, was also pleased with Brad Johnson who booted three goals as a leading forward and Lindsay Gilbee, who provided drive across half-back.

The coach also expressed satisfaction with former West Coast forward Andrew McDougall, who slotted a goal and won enough of the ball in conditions not suited for tall, marking players.

Others to impress included Claremont draftee Josh Hill, Tiwi Islander Malcolm Lynch and rookie-listed Jarrod Harbrow, who delighted the Bulldogs with his attack on the football in the opening quarter.

According to Eade, the Bulldogs will be out to win next week's NAB Cup clash against Sydney at Manuka, but he understands that it will be a tough task with up to 14 senior players unavailable.

Among those sidelined on Friday and who won't be travelling to Canberra next weekend are Chris Grant, Luke Darcy, Adam Cooney, Peter Street, Nathan Eagleton, Ryan Hargrave, Robert Murphy and Matthew Robbins.

Eade said former skipper Darcy had some encouraging news on the medical front on Thursday and was on track to resume early in the home and away season.