WODONGA champion Jarrod Twitt believes victory against North Albury on Easter Saturday would provide the perfect launching pad to bigger things this season.
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The Bulldogs are coming off a horror season, with only one win and a draw last year resulting in the proud club finishing with the dreaded wooden spoon.
But Twitt said success against the Hoppers at John Flower Oval could do wonders for the Bulldogs’ self belief.
“I think beating North Albury is extremely important for us,” he said.
“From what I have seen so far during our practice matches, our young guys have got to learn quickly and be confident that we are a side capable of winning matches.
“You just see at a few stages during the pre- season matches when things went against them for five minutes during a game they would tend to go back into their shell and not take the game on.
“Some of the guys have been in some pretty dark places over the past few seasons and it has been hard for them.
“But if we can get some early wins on the board and gain a bit of confidence, this season could be a really enjoyable one.”
Twitt returns to Wod- onga after coaching Holbrook for the past four years.
The 35-year-old previously played 180 matches for the Bulldogs and is regarded as one of their finest players after being a member of their 2004 premiership and winning best and fairest awards in 2009 and 2010.
He joins dual Brisbane Lions premiership player Daniel Bradshaw and former Albury enforcer Ben Fixter as Wodonga recruits aged well into their 30s.
Critics have been quick to question the Bulldogs’ “Dad’s Army” recruiting policy, but Twitt said the veteran trio still had a lot to offer.
“We’ve heard the criticism but I think it’s great that you’ve got experienced guys that want to be back and help the club climb off the bottom of the ladder,” he said.
“I won’t by trying to get 25 to 30 kicks each week and Daniel’s not expected to kick a bag each week either.
“Our job is to help fast-track the kids’ learning and development.
“A lot of people don’t expect Fixter to have a big impact either.
“But he accidentally ran into me during a practice match and I felt it for the next week.
“So don’t worry, he is still capable of rattling a few cages.”
I won’t by trying to get 25 to 30 kicks each week and Daniel’s not expected to kick a bag each week either. Our job is to help fast-track the kids’ learning and development. A lot of people don’t expect Fixter to have a big impact either. But ... he is still capable of rattling a few cages. JARROD TWITT
