While most would agree that Matthew Suckling’s elite left boot is tailor-made for the Luke Beveridge-led Western Bulldogs, Suckling himself is keen to add a physical edge to his game in 2016.

As Bulldogs fans have seen over the pre-season, the former Hawk’s versatility is a feature of his game, but it’s his ability to affect the physical contest that he’s been working on across the summer.

“I’ve really tried to work on my physicality,” he told westernbulldogs.com.au

“I’ve tried to put on a kilo or two, and really work on that side of my game so I can and tackle and spoil a bit better. 

Suckling’s versatility is such that he split time at both ends of the ground last season. 

According to Champion Data, after round nine, he spent 40% of his time as a defender, and 43% up forward,  and it’s that multi-pronged role that he expects to continue into the new season.

“I’ve enjoyed playing across the ground – I’m just trying to learn how the boys go about it, and the style we like to play.

“The more time I spend out there, the better it’s going to get.”

Suckling’s settled in easily at VU Whitten Oval, so much so that he and Jason Johannisen have been practicing a post-goal celebration inspired by Cam Newton of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

The ‘dab’, as it became known was caught by the Fox Footy cameras last weekend, and has gotten a life of its own on social media in the time since.

Suckling said it was all just a bit of fun.

“Myself and JJ are pretty big Cam Newton fans and over the summer we’ve been practicing everything out on the track. 

“And as you can see, we love getting out there playing footy and having a bit of fun. 

“Hopefully it went down alright.”