With the Bulldogs’ first competitive hitout  only two days away, midfielder Adam Cooney says his teammates are counting down the minutes to kick off their 2014 campaign.

The Bulldogs will look to continue the momentum gained from last year against St Kilda this Wednesday evening, after an encouraging pre-season campaign.

“We did finish off the year really well and our young kids have been working hard and they have a lot of improvement in them I think,” Cooney said.

“We have done a heap of hard work the last few weeks, so the boys have been a bit sore and tired but we’ve been working hard and that is how you feel this time of year.

“It will be good to have a hitout on Wednesday.”

Participating in almost every session over summer, the 28-year-old has completed more pre-season training than in the past four or five seasons and is confident that extra conditioning will help him run out the year.

“I’ve completed pretty much all the sessions this pre-season, done most of the main sessions, so I am feeling fit – as fit as you can be at this time of the year,” he said.

“I have probably done a little bit more than last pre-season… I think I’ve completed about 80% of the pre-season.”

Fellow midfielder Mitch Wallis saw his personal form lift at the end of last season and believes a strong summer campaign will help him contribute further this year. 

“It’s been a long, hot summer, so to finally get a hitout against an opposition and not just our own teammates will be very good,” he said.

“It’s very exciting to see the hard work of summer come out to play.

“I am happy with where I am at and I just want to start playing again.”