The Bulldogs have been back training for three weeks since the Christmas break and are well and truly gearing up for the new year.
Most of the squad has been sweating it out over the summer under the watchful eye of Des Hasler and his Coaching staff.
One of those men, David Penna has only been at the Bulldogs for two months and already he is impressed with the attitude of the rookies amongst the squad ahead of the upcoming season.
“A lot of the younger boys have really impressed me. Kerrod ‘Dutchy’ Holland has come on really well and there are a couple of other young boys that are working really hard,” Penna said.
“I guess it’s unfair to say who they are, but everyone in general has improved by at least 25% this side of Christmas.”
With trials only a few weeks away, Penna and the staff will be looking for the players to be focusing on what they have worked at for the past three months.
“The main things are focusing on the things we have worked really on in defence and obviously in attack.
“We need to make sure that the boys understand their roles and understand what their needs are within the team.”
The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs will begin their 2017 pre-season campaign in the first weekend of February when they head to the Downer Auckland Nines.
The Bulldogs feature in the Waiheke pool group, alongside the Cronulla Sharks, Gold Coast Titans and the Penrith Panthers.
Following the Auckland Nines, the Bulldogs will host the Penrith Panthers in their first pre-season trial match on Saturday, February 11 at 6pm at Belmore Sportsground.
The final trial match before the commencement of the Telstra Premiership, will see the Bulldogs tackle the Melbourne Storm at North Hobart Oval, on Saturday 18 February (4-30pm start).
