Having graduated from the Bulldogs father-son program, Hunter perhaps had a head start on his fellow draftees but the transition from high school student to full time footballer is not one that can be rushed.
“The first few weeks were a bit of shock and awe,” Hunter said, “…but after you find your feet a bit it’s been really good to settle in and get to know a few of the boys better.
“It helps a lot knowing the guys before you come in here, it just makes things a lot easier, more comfortable.
“You know a few people to talk to if you don’t know where to go or things, so it has been really good.”
The new recruits gradually build up to the full weights and training program, but it wasn’t the increased workload that phased Hunter - who turns 18 tomorrow - but rather the fear of spraying a kick or dropping a mark in front of his new teammates.
“At the start you kind of are a bit cautious on your kicks and your handballs you don’t want to stuff up a drill or do anything wrong but now I think all the boys are going to punch the kicks a bit more and… go 100 per cent,” he said.
In the gym the main focus has been on technique under new Strength Coach Andy Barnett, who has been keeping a very close eye on the new Bulldog additions.
“The gym has been really good as well. It’s a lot different to what I have done before with a lot more focus on legs,” Hunter said.
“[Barnett] is massive on technique… the weights might not be as big but as long as the technique is fine then that will transfer out on the field and we will build the weights up over time.
“Really starting to get into the running and that, it’s been tough but it’s been good.”
