Western Bulldogs utility Mitch Hannan says it’s been pleasing to have the full squad back and training together again.

Hannan was one of 27 Bulldogs that spent a week in Sydney, before flying across to Perth for their round 12 match against Fremantle.

The playing group and staff returned to Melbourne and recommenced training last week.

“It’s good to be able to get outside and train altogether – it’s been a week or so since we’ve been together as a group. To have everyone back together and feeling as a united group again, it’s good,” Hannan told westernbulldogs.com.au.

“It’s been a long week in Sydney, and then heading over to Perth – there was a lot of guys that were probably pretty tired.

“It’s around this halfway point too that guys start to feel a few niggles and are crying out for a bit of a rest.

“(The bye weekend) is a good chance to refresh, make sure people are sort of feeling a little bit brighter and healthier, so we can attack the second half of the season fully fit.”

Crossing from Melbourne at the end of 2020, Hannan featured for Footscray in the first two rounds of this VFL season - after an interrupted pre-season overcoming a groin injury.

He made his Club debut in Round 7 against Richmond.

“In hindsight I’m obviously very happy with where I am now, but it was tough,” Hannan said.

“Coming into a new club, you want to be able to impress and get to know your teammates, but a lot of that happens out on the training track.

“To be stuck on the sidelines in rehab and nursing an injury was very frustrating – everyone wants to be a part of success, and I was struggling early in terms of how I was going to fit into the side.

“I’m glad we’ve hit the half-way point (of the season) and I’ve managed to be included amongst it a little bit. I’m enjoying this ride.”