FOR A self-confessed introvert, Western Bulldogs youngster Toby McLean has found it "weird" giving instructions to decorated new teammate Travis Cloke.
While the premiership forward is still establishing himself at the Bulldogs, Cloke has also won a flag, claimed All Australian selection twice and kicked 441 goals.
The two goalkickers "jelled" well in the club's opening JLT Community Series clash against Melbourne, and McLean puts that down to Cloke's burning ambition to reignite his career at the reigning premiers.
"Because Travis is new to the club, he's keen to get to know the (forward) structures, and he's been asking us where to stand and where to go," McLean told AFL.com.au.
"I’m quite a shy person, so it does take a while to speak up when I need to, but I'm gradually getting better.
"I'm only in my third year, so it's kind of weird helping out a 29-year-old.
"Travis has made a pretty big impact since coming to the club, and you saw (that) against Melbourne when he clunked all those marks."
Cloke's arrival, and the return of Stewart Crameri from a year-long doping suspension, leaves a once-thin Bulldogs attack possessing plenty of options.
Throw All Australian Jake Stringer and Grand Final hero Tom Boyd into the mix and McLean is well aware competition for spots up forward will be hot.
But he is confident he'll build on a 19-game career that has seen him slot 16 majors so far.
That self-assuredness is based on a considerably improved aerobic capacity and evolving as a player, but also playing to his strengths.
"Instinct is big part of my game," 21-year-old McLean said.
"The less time I have to think about things the better, because when I make quick decisions I tend to take the right option.
"The coaches have got me training for a few different roles this year and that's taking my game to another level.
"When we've had match simulation I've started up forward, then moved up onto a wing and then into the middle.
"Practice makes perfect."
While he's taking on more responsibility at the Bulldogs, McLean is also doing so away from the club.
Hailing from Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, he quickly tired of making the arduous traffic-jammed journey to Whitten Oval in the city's west, so he wisely invested in his first home.
The only downside was the astute purchase did cost him a few stamps in his passport.
"Everybody tends to head overseas, but I didn't really have a chance to because I recently bought a house," McLean said.
"It's just around the corner in Altona, so it only takes 10 minutes to get to training.
"I'm from Narre Warren, and the 50 minute drives to training were a hassle, so it was my only option."
