Back on the track and building.

The team has returned to 2025 fit, firing, and ready to get stuck into an important pre-season.

Assistant coach Daniel Pratt praised the players for the condition in which they returned from the Christmas break, with a healthy list allowing preparations to resume at full steam.

“From a personnel point of view, we’ve got a lot of guys on the track, which is a big positive,” Pratt said.

“We haven’t had any major setbacks with injury or personnel to this point, so that’s great.

“They’ve run pretty good times for their time trials, and they’re looking pretty fit when they get around the park.

“We’ve ticked a couple of boxes, but there is still a lot of work to do.”

The second week back from the break saw an increase in intensity, with the team completing a second time trial immediately followed by a gruelling match simulation, where a noticeable lift in contested work stood out.

This signals a shift in the playing group’s preparations as both the Noosa training camp and the pre-season practice match against the Bombers draw closer.

Pratt credited the endeavour and intensity of the team across the sessions so far.

“It’s probably the first time we’ve seen them really escalate some of the contest work,” the coach said.

“Overall, the boys played in good spirit.

“They had a go, and we saw some of the things that we’ve been trying to work on.

“There’s a bit to go still, but it’s going to come around really quickly.”

Keeping a closer eye on his backline crew, Pratt praised the leadership demonstrated by some of the more experienced players in creating a more cohesive line.

In 2024, the Dogs' backline took another step forward under Pratt’s watchful eye, with the humble assistant coach giving credit to both the players and coaches who had done the hard yards before his tenure.

“They had spent a lot of time with Rohan Smith. He’d done a fantastic job over a long period,” Pratt said.

“Guys like Taylor Duryea, JJ, Bailey Dale, and Jonesy are all experienced campaigners, and their leadership was really handy for me to implement a few changes and different things I wanted to work on.

“Their support was fantastic.

“The additions of some of the young guys and players coming to the club over the last couple of years have also brought enthusiasm from the other end.

“I really like working with them; they’re a good bunch of blokes.”