THE WESTERN Bulldogs' pre-season "education process" has begun under new coach Brendan McCartney, with the entire playing list recommencing training on Monday at Whitten Oval.

All the players were in attendance for the first day back on the job, including the rehabilitation group featuring Adam Cooney, Brian Lake, Ryan Hargrave, Shaun Higgins, Tom Williams, Dale Morris and Lindsay Gilbee.

McCartney, after resisting an initial urge to set up cones for drills in a flashback to his previous role as Geelong assistant coach, took control of the squad and began to introduce "different skill-based and decision-making drills".

He said the summer would involve breaking the game down "bit by bit" to show the players how everything they did on the field affected the team, and that they were largely headed "back to the classroom" to learn about how the new-look coaching panel wanted them to play in 2012.

He also said he was pleased with the shape the players were in after more than two months off, with the more experienced players catching his eye.

"I thought our older players' running was fantastic, it set a great example to our younger players when they come into an organisation, that's the standard we expect," McCartney said.

"It's fantastic for young people to see what can be done through years and years of hard work. We're not talking about a month or six months; we're talking about people who have been elite AFL players for a long time.

"The drills are a little different to what they're used to so they'll take some time, a lot of decision making, but it was a good start and no one got injured, which is even better."

The reshaping of the Dogs' game plan is set to focus on improving defence, tackling an "unhealthy reliance on moving the ball", and eliminating a dependability on the team's better players.

McCartney said he would be hard but fair across the summer months when it came to ensuring the message got through.

"We do have to be patient to a point but there needs to be output too, you need to see people actually training at a high level and joining in the training and embracing it and enjoying it," he said.

"Experience tells me when players do that, they learn the game quickly because physically they can handle the game, which helps their mental state.

"There's a tolerance level, there'll be a patience level but there will be a strong demand on learning what we want pretty quickly too."

All players in the rehab group spent time on exercise bikes while Dale Morris, who broke his leg in round 21 and was confined to a wheelchair at times during his recovery, boxed.

McCartney didn't specify about when each player would be welcomed back into the main group, but said the club was confident Morris would be fit to play in round one next year.

"They're all on track, they're all following programs and the reason they're following programs is we believe less can go wrong," he said.

"All of those boys are on track to phase into training at the time the doctors say we can have them back to training.

"[With Morris], we're very positive. The reports are terrific and each time he's gone back to the surgeon, it's only been more positive.

"What we also know we have a brilliant person who does everything right in all areas, so he's on track."

Cooney also completed some strength work in the morning session and is set for a modified training level in the coming months according to McCartney, given his persistent knee issues.

"Sometimes if you have an area of your body that doesn't allow you to do what it used to allow you to do, you've got to find other ways around it," he said.

"Sometimes that means watching how hard you train, finding other ways to get fit, and us as a football club understanding we've got to provide a program where everyone progresses without putting at risk their longevity."

McCartney said the Dogs would target "good players and good people" in the November 24 NAB AFL Draft, but said it was too early to start talking about whether they would elect for a selection in the December NAB AFL Pre-season Draft as well.

He categorically ruled out interest in fallen Carlton and Brisbane Lions forward Brendan Fevola, but said former Blue Setanta O'hAilpin could "possibly" offer their side something.

The Bulldogs have also announced the upgrading of rookies Luke Dahlhaus and Matthew Panos to the senior list, and the re-signings of Liam Jones, Christian Howard, Dylan Addison and Lukas Markovic.