THE Western Bulldogs are a rejuvenated outfit under new coach Luke Beveridge, according to young forward Toby Maclean.
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“Luke has been great with the side, he’s well liked and I think he’s made an immediate impact,” Maclean said.
“The players look up to him.”
The No. 26 draft pick was joined by the highest profile signing of last year’s trade period, former GWS Giants No. 1 pick Tom Boyd, in a visit to Wodonga yesterday.
The pair met fans as part of the AFL’s Community Camps program, with the entire Bulldogs squad scattered across the North East.
Boyd said the region had some of the best facilities in the country.
“I’ve played TAC Cup games in Wangaratta before and seen some of the other grounds, they’re all quality,” he said.
“It’s important for us to come out to country areas and do our bit for the game.”
Boyd, 19, said he was looking forward to having his first run for the club, if selected, in the Bulldogs’ first NAB Challenge game against Richmond at Whitten Oval later this month.
“Hopefully we can get the season off to a good start, pre-season has been excellent so far,” he said.
The $7 million recruit has spent time forward and in the ruck, and said the Bulldogs had done well to address shortfalls in key defensive posts during the off-season.
“The recruiting was done with a mind to the key defensive areas that were probably a bit lacking,” Boyd said.
“We’ve got younger players like Fletcher Roberts training well, Zaine Cordy will be good once he gets past his shoulder injury.
“Throw in some of the more experienced heads like Dale Morris and Daniel Talia, and I think we’re in a place where we can really compete.”
Boyd’s decision to ditch Greater Western Sydney to return to Melbourne had been tough, according to the young gun, but he was confident it would pay dividends.
“Obviously there’s going to be a fair amount of scrutiny in Melbourne compared to Sydney, it’s the heartland of the AFL,” Boyd said.
“I’m closer to family and friends now, I feel like I’m going to be able to achieve a better work-life balance, and I’ll play better for that.”