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FREE agents need not apply for work at Whitten Oval.
Dogs director and club legend Chris Grant yesterday declared the club had eyes only for the draft and development.
"From a supporters perspective it's probably easy to look at the middle part of the demographics of our team and say there's not much in the middle - we should try and fill that up. But we're so impressed with guys like Mitch Wallis, Tom Liberatore and Clay Smith that we just think that will be filled quite quickly," Grant told the Herald Sun.
"And because we've got a hold of some good ones already we feel like our philosophy is just to continue to add to that and really develop the right way to play right from the age of 17 or 18.
"We're pretty strong on that."
Two selections in the first 10 of November's national draft will help, thanks to the Callan Ward compensation pick.
On current ladder positions, the Dogs will snare picks five and six.
It's all part of a long-term strategy Grant says, even if the view from outside looks grim.
"I can't put a length of time on it, but it's amazing how things can actually come together," he said.
"I think under a really good development program we actually might progress quite well. But the challenge for us is to make the absolute most of the opportunity while we've got guys like Robert Murphy, Matthew Boyd, Daniel Giansiracusa, Daniel Cross and Brian Lake."
Grant's call for patience came as the club took the unusual step of writing to 16,000 member households to explain the club's state of affairs.
The letter was signed by captain Matthew Boyd, chief executive Simon Garlick, president David Smorgon, coach Brendan McCartney and Grant.
"Over recent years we came close to achieving our on-field aims, but not close enough," the letter says.
"In light of this, we have taken decisions and made the changes that were needed to give us the best chance of success.
"We have started this journey, one which will require patience, perseverance and discipline for all of us to stay on track and to not deviate from our path.
"Now, more than ever, is the time to stick together to ensure we maximise the opportunity for us to taste success."
Grant yesterday revealed the Bulldogs were:
NOT interested in Travis Cloke or other free agents.
UNLIKELY to send Adam Cooney out to pasture, despite his chronic knee.
ON track to record a fifth straight profit.
SET to boost football department spending in 2013 with an emphasis on list management and recruitment.
UNDECIDED about fielding a standalone VFL side.
Smorgon will retire at the end of next year but Grant said he had no interest in the Dogs' top job.
Asked about a push by some supporters for a return to the Footscray name, Grant said: "No. We're about winning the western suburbs of Melbourne.
"I understand that there's an emotional and historical attachment to the old name, but being the Western Bulldogs makes absolute sense."
The 341-game champion said players on the brink of retirement would not be forced out the door.
"We've got some genuinely good blokes who have played a lot of footy for us and we will be very, very respectful to them," Grant said.
He nominated youngster Daniel Pearce as a future star to join Mitch Wallis, Luke Dahlhaus, Clay Smith, Ayce Cordy and Tom Liberatore.
"We're not shying away from the fact that we're not performing well," he said.
"But we can't expect our first, second and third year players to be driving the on-field performance, that's hanging those kids out to dry.
"Jordan Roughead played centre-half-back for the first time in his career ever on the weekend and acquitted himself really well."
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