Cameron Mooney says Bulldogs skipper Ryan Griffen's talents leaves him shaking his head Cameron Mooney says Bulldogs star Ryan Griffen stands out on the training track. CAMERON Mooney says the Western Bulldogs possess a devastating one-two punch in their midfield, which is nearing elite status. Mooney, a development coach at the Bulldogs, says the young list is on the rise under coach Brendan McCartney and while too much shouldn't be expected in 2014, fans should be excited by the talent at the Whitten Oval. Mooney nominated young in-and-under star Tom Liberatore and new skipper Ryan Griffen as standouts of the onball group. Mooney said Griffen, an All-Australian last year, was a superstar of the game, who often left the three-time premiership star shaking his head with his deeds on the training track. Speaking to SEN on Monday morning, he said the club was in a nice position with seasoned veterans Matthew Boyd, Robert Murphy and Daniel Giansiracusa still guiding the club while talented newcomers such as Nathan Hrovat, Lachie Hunter and Jackson Macrae found their feet. "Yeah it's starting to," Mooney said, when asked if the midfield group resembled an elite group. Led by young Libba (Tom Liberatore), who I just think is exceptional with the way he works around those packs and his clearance work. Western Bulldogs coaches, from left, Joel Corey, Cameron Mooney, Brendan McCartney and Matthew Scarlett. And then obviously Ryan Griffen, who let's be honest he is elite now but you put him in a side that starts having success and you're talking about one of the great midfielders of the competition. Watching him at training, I just sometimes laugh to myself because he just embarrasses everybody with how quick he is and how quickly he can get out of situations. I'd love to see him with the captaincy on his shoulders this year and see how he goes. I think he's going to be exceptional with it. That midfield group should only improve in coming years. The Bulldogs drafted junior star Marcus Bontempelli with the No.4 selection last year, and while Mooney said he may only play "half a dozen games" in 2014, the club likes what it sees. "We drafted him as an onballer, and you don't want to put these big statements on him, but he does move a lot like a (Scott) Pendlebury," Mooney said. He's that left footer, he's got a lof of time, he looks classy. He's just got a lot of time around the ball and that's just a fantastic thing to have. I was talking to (development coach) Joel Corey who's done a little bit of work with him and he's quite impressed with what he's seen ... if 'Smithy's' impressed with him, that must mean he's going to be a pretty good player. Northern Knights midfielder Marcus Bontempelli will hope his brilliant finish to the 2013 AFL season will be rewarded with a top 10 pick in this year's National Draft. Mooney, who assists the Bulldogs forwards, will increase his workload at the Bulldogs in 2014, along with former teammate Matthew Scarlett, who helps out Brendan McCartney's defensive group. Each spent one day a week with the Bulldogs last season. The Bulldogs finished 15th last season and while improvement is expected, Mooney said fans shouldn't get over excited. "They finished the year off in a really positive note and if they can keep improving, and if they're pushing for the eight at the end of the year, then that would be a fantastic result I would think for that footy club," he said. I just hope at the end of the year the Bulldogs supporters are saying 'We're not that far away from playing finals again'. Where will the Bulldogs finish in 2014?