It’s been a harder Luke Beveridge driving the group since the team came back for preseason in November last year according to midfielder Mitch Wallis, but the tough love has been good for the group.

Speaking with Fox Sports on Thursday, Wallis said that after taking some time to settle in and get to know his players, Beveridge and the coaching group have been pushing the squad hard to improve over the summer period.

“He took a bit of a step back last year to get to know people before he could point the stick and start whacking blokes over the head with it,” Wallis said.

“This year he’s been a bit harder, and he’s been harder on us, but it’s been good for the group. 

“Obviously we’ve built the relationship with him over the last 18 months and he’s come back this year with renewed vigour.”

Wallis said that while the Bulldogs may have taking a few teams by surprise last season, it’s a luxury they will no longer be afforded now that opposition sides have had a full season to assess how the Beveridge led Bulldogs play the game.

“We got under the guard of a few teams last year - I don’t think that will be the case (in 2016).

“We ambushed a few clubs with our game style, with how quickly we can move the ball and how dangerous some of our players can be.

“They’re going to be ready, but that’s a bigger challenge for us and we’re up for it."  

While the elimination at the hands of the Crows stung over the offseason, the focus has now switched firmly to the future.

“The boys have really attacked it (the preseason) after a disappointing end to last season but we’ve put that behind us and have hit this preseason with full force,” Wallis said.

“It was the first final I’ve played in, I was lucky enough to play in a few as a junior, but nothing can compare to an AFL final. 

“It took a while but we’ll all learn from that experience.”