The words are predictable, they’re expected, but they’re warmly welcomed by any football fan from their top draft pick. “I’m loving it.”

At home, at ease and hard at work, Jake Stringer has made an immediate impression at Whitten Oval after arriving via the Bulldogs’ first pick in the 2012 AFL Draft, and he’s lapping up every moment.

Since Recruiting Manager Simon Dalrymple read the 18-year-old’s name out at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in late November, the power forward has embarked on the most intense training block of his comparatively short footballing journey, but not even that can shift the smile from Stringer’s face.

“I’m loving the time down at the Kennel, everyone’s looking after me. I’m just loving it,” Stringer told BulldogsTV.

Initially moving-in with Michael Talia and his family after relocating from Bendigo, Stringer now resides with a nearby host family to further assist the transition to city life and the professional sporting environment.

After the obligatory introductory weeks, Stringer says he’s feeling more at ease training amongst football’s elite.

“You’re a lot more relaxed now, you’re not rushing everything. You’re starting to get into the routine of it all now which is good.”

Senior Coach Brendan McCartney echoed similar sentiments, observing that the recruits are beginning to find their place amongst the main group.

“We’re conscious of not exposing them too much to the harsh side of football yet – particularly with their training and what happens in the gym.”

“We have had them [the recruits] in the main drills a couple of times, and they look like they belong, which is a great sign for young people.

“[They’re] happy to have the ball in their hands, they want the ball in their hands, and they seem to be players that enjoy having to make decisions with the ball and create play which is a good thing.”

Your top draft pick at home in his new environment, getting down to business - that too is definitely a good thing.