Barry Hall will not be the Western Bulldogs' saviour.
That was the message from young star Shaun Higgins to the excited and success-starved Dogs fans ahead of the former Swan's much-anticipated debut in Doggies colours against Hawthorn in their NAB Cup quarter-final clash at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.
For years the one thing the Bulldogs have lacked is a quality tall forward and that deficiency cost them a shot at premiership glory last year as they lost their preliminary final to St Kilda by seven points despite having a staggering 17 more inside 50s than the Saints.
And while Hall was seen to be acquired by the Dogs as that key attacking target that would ensure such midfield dominance wouldn't get so severely unrewarded again, Higgins just wants the premiership forward to fit in with the team.
"It's just to fit into our forward structure ... he understands that and we're not expecting him to be the saviour or anything," Higgins said after training on Thursday at Whitten Oval.
"It just gives us another string to our bow, we're not going to change the way we play and rely (on) kicking it long to Barry all the time."
Coach Rodney Eade said Hall was 'anxious' ahead of the clash with the Hawks.
"I think all players get a bit nervous because of the expectations they put on themselves and I think he's just a bit anxious because it's his first game," said Eade.
"I think he obviously wants to feel part of the group and be able to contribute to the team so I think just (because it's) his first game he's a bit toey."
"He'll have limited game time as far as he'll be on and off a fair bit so we're hoping he can get 50-60 percent of game time."
"But it's more about just getting used to the way we play a bit and hopefully get a touch or two but I think just get some match fitness is the main thing."
Eade expects the 32-year-old to feature in all of the club's remaining pre-season matches.
Other high-profile inclusions for the Dogs on Friday night will be Jason Akermanis and Ryan Hargrave, both of whom are only expected to play a half, as well as Nathan Eagleton.
Captain Brad Johnson will be absent and isn't expected to play until the Dogs' final pre-season match as he continues to recover from an Achilles injury.
"He'll be able to start to run on the weekend, he's got a very good fitness base, he's only missed three weeks now I think," Eade said of Johnson.
"It's just more precautionary and it's just a steady process we're putting him through but he's actually responded pretty well."
Will Minson, who is recovering from soy milk poisoning, is expected to play next week.
Meanwhile, Eade doesn't believe free agency will pose a serious threat to loyalty in the game.
"I think most clubs would like to think their environment and their actual pitch (detailing) what your future is and being happy in that environment, you'd think most players are going to stay," Eade said.
The Dogs mentor thinks trading will increase as a result of the introduction of free agency as clubs look to gain their own form of compensation for players who walk out on them.
"Clubs will be scared of the free agency that I reckon it will free up trades a bit," said Eade. "I think that'll go through the roof."