Dogs' Everitt must earn his spot

WESTERN Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade says there will be a regular senior spot for Andrejs Everitt next year if the youngster is willing to work for it.

Everitt, 20, floated the idea of changing clubs during trade week after his management informed the Bulldogs he was disappointed with his lack of senior opportunities this year.

The first round draft pick from 2006 played seven games this year, and has played 24 in total since his debut two and a half years ago.

Eade said there was no bad blood between Everitt and the Dogs, despite his failed attempt to move clubs, and expected the versatile defender to perform strongly over the pre-season.

He also said Everitt had been told what he needed to do in order to become a regular senior player in 2010.

"I've spoken to him and I imagine he is [ready to go]," Eade told afl.com.au. "It's up to Andrejs [now]; the side played well so it was difficult at stages for him, but it's up to him whether he wants to do the work.

"At times, he didn't do the work. No one gets a game on a plate, and if he's prepared to work, he'll get games. Liam Picken was a rookie and Andrejs was taken at No.11 in the draft. It doesn't matter how you got here; it's about the work rate and the work ethic you've got.

"Andrejs works in fits and starts, and if he can work hard enough and long enough, he'll get games because he's got enough talent."

Everitt was last given a senior game in round 22 after ruckman Ben Hudson was a late withdrawal with hamstring tightness.

He successfully fulfilled a back up role to Will Minson in the ruck and demonstrated his versatility as a roaming tall option.

Eade said it was this flexibility that gave the Dogs reason to believe he would continue to show promise in years to come. 

"The pleasing thing about him is he can play a whole range of positions; back, in the midfield, and in the ruck like he did in round 22," he said.

"There are spots there for him; it's just really up to Andrejs to work hard enough to get them."

Eade also said he expected Jarrad Grant, Easton Wood and Sam Reid to play more senior football next year, and for Jordan Roughead and possibly Ayce Cordy to make their debuts.

"I hope they would, but they'll have to work hard to earn that," he said. "Sometimes you play kids before they're ready just to give them time, but to hold their spot and get some consistent games, they have to perform and make sure their work rate is good on the training track.

"Out of Cordy and Roughead, it will be more so Jordan that plays next year. He's a developing ruckman so if we get an injury, he'll get some games.

"Ayce still physically needs work. He's put on eight or nine kilos but he's got taller again. Kids that come in don't know what's required, and he said himself midyear he was getting tired."