For a start Mick's been well told to paint their club in a more positive light.
We're not exactly media darlings at the minute either.
The joint seems relatively happy ( thank god) than it was in Shoctober
Printable View
For a start Mick's been well told to paint their club in a more positive light.
We're not exactly media darlings at the minute either.
The joint seems relatively happy ( thank god) than it was in Shoctober
It's going to be awesome watching TB bossing defenders around in a couple of years.
Anyone get down to training today?
A lot of emphasis was put into team work, moving the ball and vision in that session pre Christmas. With the games and the drills.
Has anyone been? Are they still doing the same thing or have they changed?
For woofers who have been to quite a few training sessions since the beginning of pre season which of our players over the time have really stood out and which have struggled?
Dogs 'energised' by Beveridge, says Picken
The arrival of Luke Beveridge at the Whitten Oval has re-energised the Western Bulldogs’ playing group, according to tagger Liam Picken.
After an exhaustive search, the Bulldogs appointed Beveridge as their new senior coach in November last year, following the resignation of Brendan McCartney a day after 2014 skipper Ryan Griffen left for Greater Western Sydney.
Picken told westernbulldogs.com.au Beveridge's arrival had brought some stability and positivity back to the club.
"I think when there is a change at any club you feel more energised, particularly at the start of the year," Picken said.
"Not only have we got a new coach but we've got 12 new guys and with so many young guys at the club, there's just a really good feel.
"All the boys have really responded well to Luke. We're all training really well and overall we're just excited to have him on board."
The players returned to the club earlier this week with the list in relatively good condition.
Nearly every player participated in Thursday's gruelling three-hour training session, with defender Dale Morris, ruckman Tom Campbell and midfielder Clay Smith the only players training away from the main group.
Having spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach at Hawthorn, Beveridge has brought his own flavour to the Bulldogs' pre-season training regime.
No goals have been set for the season proper as yet, but the club is hopeful of building on last season's seven wins despite having lost more than 800 games of experience in the off-season.
"I think generally the whole playing group feels we need to lift and help each other this year," Picken said.
"There are so many guys here in the younger age bracket that are hoping to step up and help everyone. We just need to share the load."
Got down to training but was severely kid encumbered which limited my time and ability to observe the action. My observations are as follows:
Will Minson: appears to have toned up a bit and perhaps lost a few kilos on last season. He looked very athletic and had no trouble getting off the ground for marking and handball receives.
Jordan Roughead: likewise moving well and showing no signs of the 2014 shoulder injury.
Hamlet looks like he is plenty big and strong enough to hold down a KP if he is good enough.
Boydosaur Jnr did not appear to be on the oval.
There was one of our younger small-mid players who has a very blond page boy hairstyle. Wasn't sure if this was Caleb Daniel. If it was, then good that he wears the helmet. If it wasn't, someone do the kid a favour and encourage him to get a haircut. Perhaps it was Roarke Smith on second thoughts. Very fair complexion. Clarification on identity required.
Stevens, Jong, Wood, Picken, Wallis and Crameri all seemed particularly keen and committed in the two drills I got to watch. There was some good robust body contact in the second drill, a handball in traffic affair, which pleased all the punters watching, including me.
The players were split into two groups on either wing with Bevo watching from the centre circle. The training drills were timed and at their conclusion the two groups were whistled into the centre to receive instructions and feed back. Steven King was very hands on and vocal directing the group on the members stand wing which was the group closest to me and from which my observations are drawn.
I will add one more observation from this morning: Talia has developed a real Tarzan physique.