The hype around first-year midfielder Bailey Smith is warranted, according to Western Bulldogs vice-captain Marcus Bontempelli.

Smith was taken by the Bulldogs with pick seven in last year’s NAB AFL Draft.

The 18-year-old had an interrupted start to his pre-season with an Achilles injury, but Bontempelli says the young gun has impressed as he’s integrated into the full program – both in terms of work ethic and some “eye-catching” skills.

“He’s a great athlete, his power, speed and his skill is right up there with probably one of the best I’ve seen in my five years at the football club,” Bontempelli told SEN Breakfast.

“He’s had some Achilles stuff that he’s been managing throughout the pre-season and he’s really getting close to being fully into the program.

“Some of the match simulation stuff is eye-catching.

“His bursts of speed away from the stoppage and the outside run is going to add a lot to our midfield and to our group, and that with a few of the other boys are going to look to potentially feature early, but we’ll wait and see.”

Bontempelli knows all about the pressure that comes from being a high draft pick – having gone at pick four in the 2013 draft.

Now 23, and having notched his 100^th AFL game last season, the Bulldogs’ leader is keen to ensure there’s not too much pressure on their new recruit to perform immediately as he settles into the life of an AFL footballer.

“I’m always conscious of being able to protect those young sort of high draft picks because of the expectation,” Bontempelli said.

“I don’t think externally there’s as much, but internally, when you come in as a high draft pick, you put this expectation on yourself to deliver early and to be the player that everyone has wrapped up to be.

“He’s a committed young boy Bailey and we’re lucky to have him as the type of player he is, but also the lifestyle that he leads.”