A settled back six will be on Senior Coach Brendan McCartney’s radar for 2013 and Daniel Pearce wants to be in the mix.

After five senior games in his debut year, the running defender is determined to impress this pre-season and remain at the forefront of the selection committee’s minds come round one.  

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The 19-year-old anticipates an increase in output from the Bulldogs young crop next season and will leave no stone unturned to be part of that group.

“I expect a lot of the younger guys stepping up again…. and being more influential in games and I hope that I can be a part of that,” Pearce said.

“It just gives me a hunger, I just want to play more, which is exactly what this pre-season is for - just to be able to compete for longer.

“Now I know what is required in the games, so I have a lot of work ahead of me… [I’m] just sticking my head down and working hard.”

Running a personal best in the six minute time trial, Pearce admits he is in much better shape than when he was drafted and wants to continue to build on that fitness base in the coming months.

“We have been concentrating on running and building a base fitness leading up until Christmas and then a lot of the footy stuff will start coming in after Christmas,” he said.

“My focus has been trying to improve myself, getting bigger, stronger, better endurance and being able to compete at AFL standard.”

Of his teammates, it is Jordan Roughead who has impressed Pearce the most during the offseason.

Earmarked for the position of full back in 2013, Roughead has embraced the added responsibility, according to his fellow backman.

“Roughead for me has been the one that has been stepping up again… as a leader around the Club he is always encouraging blokes and wanting them to improve,” Pearce said.

“Same with Shaun Higgins, he has found another level again in my eyes.”