WESTERN Bulldogs veteran Robert Murphy has predicted a harder Dogs outfit under new coach Brendan McCartney.
 
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning in the lead up to the Dogs' NAB Cup clashes with the GWS Giants and Collingwood at Blacktown on Saturday night, Murphy enthused about a new approach in 2012.

"It's probably the most competitive football stuff I've ever done in that pre-Christmas block," the 29-year-old declared.
 
"Which has been good as well (because) players are always pretty happy when the stopwatches are put to one side and the footies are brought out a little bit earlier."
 
The physicality has been essential, with McCartney clearly trying to instill the kind of steel that he admired from close quarters for a decade at Geelong, where he was a key assistant coach until the end of 2009.
 
"Like any coach, (McCartney) has drawn from his experiences," Murphy said. "He spent a whole big chunk of time down at Geelong and they were always a physical side.
 
"(We're) a different bunch of cattle at the Bulldogs, but to win big games of footy you've got to be more than competent in that area of the game."
 
The new coaching regime had been a refreshing change that had rejuvenated the older Bulldogs, Murphy, who joined the club in 1999, said.
 
"It's my 13th year at the Bulldogs and it's funny how, (with) a new coach, the whole place feels brand new," he said.
 
"It gives you that sort of kick along that perhaps you maybe didn’t think you needed until it happens."
 
Murphy described McCartney as calm and consistent.
 
"Not sure if he's got a teaching background as such in the classroom but that's his sort of manner around the place," he said.
 
"It's still early days, we're still in the honeymoon period…give it time."
 
Asked if McCartney has also revealed a harder edge to his charges, Murphy said, "Oh, absolutely, yeah. It's certainly there and we've seen it over different stages over the summer when he's not happy, but it's always in a fairly controlled manner."
 
Murphy predicted the game plan would also be different but would evolve further over time.
 
"I think over time there will be some differences, some of them pretty big, some of them pretty subtle," he said.
 
"This week it might be pretty early (because) we're still adapting, (and) with the different format of the (NAB Cup), this time of year can be pretty scrappy.
 
"I think there will be a difference from the side that played last year but I think the more substantial changes will probably develop over this year and probably into next year as well."
 
Asked whether the Dogs had any considerations about going too hard too early and risking an associated flat patch during the premiership season, Murphy said, "I think players have got to be really careful of thinking too much, which isn’t too much trouble for most of us…just let the coaches set you up and go out there and give it your best and see what happens."
 
The clash with the Giants will be historic for both clubs.
 
"It's a pretty unique sort of experience," Murphy said. "Exciting obviously for GWS, but also whilst we've been around for a hundred years (we've also got) a new-look team."
 
Seated alongside Murphy at AFL House was Magpie Alan Toovey, who revealed that former Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade - who is now the Magpies' football and coaching strategist - had given the Pies some valuable insights into his old club.
 
"We had our opposition meeting yesterday and he took that," Toovey said, "so he would have had some inside information he shared with us."
 
"What did he say?" Murphy asked.
 
Toovey predictably refused to share those insights. As always, cards are being played close to chests.
 
Ben Collins covers Western Bulldogs news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_bencollins