The Bulldogs’ improved list depth has made picking the best 22 a difficult task, and it’s reflected in the early part of pre-season training according to Daniel Giansiracusa.

“I think everyone is judged, whether you are in your first year or your 15^th year, your reputation is on the line every time you go out to train and you want to set a high standard,” Giansiracusa said.

“We are just trying to educate them (the draftees) as much as possible to get up to that standard and so far they haven’t put a foot wrong.

“[We try to] make them feel as welcome as possible, it’s pretty daunting, they are 18-year-old kids coming into an environment which is quite ruthless and very competitive.”

The entire playing list came together for the first time this week, beginning with a range of tests and time trials to set the benchmark for the remainder of the pre-season.

“Well we had a two [kilometre] time trial, so this week has been mainly about testing… then followed by skills which is slowly ramping up,” he said.

“[The] time trial is always nervous for the boys, you get a bit queasy in the stomach but you get through it and there was some pretty good results.

“Stewart Crameri was fantastic and is going to be a real asset I think and some guys jumped up - Tom Young was fantastic in the way he ran.

“There is going to be competition for spots which is really healthy for the footy Club.”

While Giansiracusa knows what to expect heading into the summer training schedule, it hasn’t prevented him from feeling the after affects.

“I suppose the first few weeks it is just the shock to your body, how sore you get and then the load picks up as you go along,” he said.

“By next week we will crank it right up and it sort of sorts the weak from the strong blokes out but that is what pre-season is about.

“I’ve done a few now and I haven’t done an easy one over the journey – they are all hard.

“You go through your ups and downs mentally but you’ve got 44 mates to get through it with.”