Star midfielder Josh Dunkley says the Western Bulldogs are doing their best to stay connected.

Recovering from a shoulder reconstruction, Dunkley is one of 16 players who remained in Victoria, with the rest of the team spending the week in Sydney before flying to Perth tomorrow.

“As far away as they are, it’s important to still feel involved and do things that they’re doing (up in Sydney),” the 24-year-old told westernbulldogs.com.au

“Our days are very similar to their days, so it’s nice to be able to maintain that (connection).”

Dunkley said the playing group understands the privilege they have to be able to continue training, feeling for those who are doing it tough throughout the extended lockdown.

“It’s been tough for everyone – not just us. We’re lucky that we get to come here and train on days like this and do some exercise,” he said.

“It’s been good to get together and galvanise and lean on each other in this small group that we have, but at the same time we’re feeling for everyone out there in Victoria too.

“It’s nice to have the matureness and the senior guys here because it’s not easy, and I think everyone knows it’s not easy to be in Victoria at the moment.”

Bulldogs’ development manager, Jamie Maddocks, is pleased with how the Melbourne-based playing group has dealt with the challenges.

“We’ve been really impressed by the players’ attitudes and the way they’ve been attacking their training,” Maddocks said.

“It’s really hard to go from training in a group of 40 to a group of 11 at the moment, with a couple of players coming in and out (of rehab).

“For them to adapt how they have, we’re looking at it as a real positive that we can get a good load into them to set them up for the back half of the year now.”