The Bulldogs have a similar squad to what they had planned for the 2020 season and are hungry to play after a year off.
“The group has been really good,” coach Paul Kirby said.
“I couldn't imagine when I was playing to sit out a year.
“I don’t have to ask them to do extras, they just motivate each other and I hope that continues when the games start.
“It's not easy to sit out 12 months.
“It's hard work doing pre-season, no-one likes doing it, so everyone will be happy to kick off with some normality, but as we know anything can happen.”
While no-one wants to do the hard yards and not play, as Kirby said, the year off did allow the 2019 injury-riddled outfit to get back to full fitness.
“Twelve months has gone by, so everyone's fit and raring to go.”
While he will get back some of his stars, Kirby was excited to see the growth of his younger players.
“I'm super excited by some of these kids — Sean McAllister, Morrie Serra, George Brisbane, Matt Rennie and Michael Archer,” he said.
“These young kids are improving every day.”
Mixed in with the upcoming youth are the experienced heads, who Kirby said were ones to watch.
“Our two main leaders Brad Ryan, who was training with Richmond (VFL) this time last year, and Nick Fothergill, who was signed up with Williamstown, are a massive help to me,” Kirby said.
“Billy Cooper — I think he's going to be very good as will Mitch Elliott.”
The squad will be bolstered by former Shepparton Swan James Bennett and Chaz Sargeant, who last played in the Northern Football Netball League.
However, they won't have the services of Kirk Mahon and James Boyer, the latter heading to the Northern Territory Football League.
With these changes in mind, Kirby is hoping to see his team improve on its sixth-placed finish from 2019, which yielded 11 wins, one draw and seven losses.
FAST FACTS
Joined league: 1894 Nickname: Bulldogs Ground: Tatura Park Coach: Paul Kirby President: John Maher Premierships: 1898, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1904, 1905, 1952, 1953, 1995, 1998, 2003 and 2012 Morrison Medallists: W Pritchard (1947), J Greenwood (1969 and 1970), N Smith (1974), T Esler (1995 joint winner) 2019 finish: Sixth (11-1-7) 2019 Best and Fairest: Jamason Daniels 2019 Leading Goal-kicker: Nick Fothergill (35)
PLAYER CHANGES:
In: Tom Sullivan, Chris Ryan (Heidelberg), Bailey Bell (Nathalia), Michael Archer (Dunnstown), Tom Durward (Undera), Rob Kirby (Sandhurst), James Bennett (Shepparton Swans) and Chaz Sergeant.
Out: Jamason Daniels, Charlie Hill (Wangaratta Rovers), Matt Shannon (Balwyn), James Sullivan (Strathmore), Jason Tutt (AFL Canberra), Jayden Thewma (Nathalia).
GAME CHANGER: Brad Ryan: If the AFL's reigning premier had their eye on him, he must be doing something right. Set to train with the Tigers’ VFL side in 2020, the defender, who has represented the Goulburn Valley League, is sure to be one to watch.
SEASON PREDICTION: 5th-8th: Tatura finished sixth last season and has lost 2019's best-and-fairest winner Jamason Daniels and other contributors in Matt Shannon and Jason Tutt, but should have greater access to Brad Ryan (training with Richmond's VFL side) and Nick Fothergill (Williamstown) than they would have if 2020 went ahead. Whether these two leaders will be enough to see the improvement coach Paul Kirby is after will remain to be seen and hence why a similar finish to 2019 could also be on the cards.
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