Hayden Crozier travelled 3,500 kilometres three days after his final year 12 exam to begin his AFL career with the Fremantle Dockers, and now six years later his career has come full circle as he prepares for his debut this Sunday in Western Bulldogs colours.

The Dogs open the 2018 season on the road in Canberra, something that the former Docker is familiar with, and is likely to play a role across half back, a somewhat unfamiliar role after spending most of his time forward out west.

‘’I feel like my strengths are aerially and a little bit on the ground with a bit of run and carry so Bevo’s really backing me to go for my marks when it’s there, and if you can’t mark, spoil,’’ he told media on Thursday.

‘’He’s been backing me in, all the coaches have been backing me in.  It’s been a little bit different from going from playing forward for so long to going back into defence, there’s a lot of things you’ve got to learn, but I’ve worked pretty hard with the coaches to nail that down and I feel like I’m going alright.’’

It was a fresh start that enticed the 24-year-old back across the Nullarbor and he’s been pleased with what kind of group he’s found.  

[They’re] a hard working group, and very determined to get back to where they were… just the relationships between the players and the coaches, it’s such a great group to be around and such a great environment to come to work every day.’’

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