All three of the Bulldogs’ NAB AFL Trade Period acquisitions have now reported for duty at the Kennel, with father-son selection Zaine Cordy to commence training with the first to fourth year players on Thursday.
Swan half-back Shane Biggs and ex-Cat defender Joel Hamling both stepped onto Victoria University Whitten Oval for the first time this week to train with their new teammates, while boom forward recruit Tom Boyd joined the group on preseason day one last Wednesday.
Development Manager Chris Maple was pleased to see the three new recruits get straight down to business.
“It’s good to see some new faces in the place, and they’re getting to know everyone, and show us how good they are on the track – which has been impressive thus far,” said Maple.
Along with the trade period recruits, Maple indicated the remainder of the first to fourth year players had returned from their break in good shape.
“It’s good to see all the boys after a five to six week break, they’ve all come back in good order, and it’s business as usual.”
With the senior players set to return on Monday, Maple said the training focus in the short term would be fitness and skills based, before shifting to a game plan focus.
“There’s a strong emphasis on our conditioning and testing just to see where the boys are at, and how much they’ve improved in the off-season.”
“Getting them stronger in the weight room is also an emphasis.”