Lukas Webb didn’t play in the Bulldogs Elimination Final loss to the Adelaide Crows, but it’s clear that he and his teammates are using the memory of that September night as motivation as preseason hots up.

In the back of his mind through every lap, drill, and push-up of the preseason, will be the desire to fill the hollowness felt after that Saturday night Elimination Final.

“It was obviously a massive disappointment the way we went out in the end, thinking we probably still had a little bit left in the tank’, the young defender said.

“It was definitely sad to see the boys go down, and it’s definitely being used as motivation.  You can see out on the track already, the boys are ready to get back and fire away.”

The 19-year-old Webb chalked up 10 senior games in his first year, playing mostly across half back, with some cameos on the wing.   

He expects to see similar time in the back half in 2016, but it’s no secret he’d like to get a run in the midfield at some point.

“At this stage, I’m still working in the back line with Bubba (defensive assistant coach, Rohan Smith), so throughout the preseason we’ll just be working on the back line craft. 

“I’d like to move into the midfield at some stage - we’ll see how we go, I’m loving the back line at the moment.”

But Webb isn’t just sitting around hoping things fall his way, he’s come back to the club in top shape, has put his head down and gotten to work. 

It’s well known amongst the Bulldog faithful that the Webb left boot is a weapon, but the man himself is determined to add a reliable right foot to his bag of tricks to go along with a bigger engine.

“I want to get the running capacity up, build the tank up, but it’s all small steps towards a big goal.

It’s no mystery what that big goal is.

Whether it’s in the backline or in the midfield, you get the sense that Webb is determined to be part of Luke Beveridge’s best 22 when round one rolls around.