There's a real sense of optimism at John Flower Oval this pre-season.
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Wodonga has been down for a long time, with its last finals appearance in 2008, but assistant coach Steve Murray, who has returned to his home club to help it end the lengthy drought, has been rapt with what he's seen so far.
Murray has been in charge of the Bulldogs' pre-season training with new senior coach Jordan Taylor yet to relocate to the Border from Queensland.
"I've been thrown in the deep end with Jordan not arriving until January, so I've sort of taken the front seat pre-Christmas, which has been good," Murray said.
"It's pretty exciting for myself to launch into the coaching. It's my first time in a coaching role and I've found it really good.
"It's really exciting to be back at my home club and the young guys are in a pretty good state."
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Murray said 75 players have trained at the kennel throughout the pre-season, with at least 50 at every session.
Former Brisbane Lions midfielder Josh Clayton, Southport ruckman Sam Jewell and SANFL midfielder Cody Szust are among the key recruits still to arrive in the new year, along with Barooga coach Zac Brain.
"Once we add a few that are still at cricket training and the recruits, we can build around the solid foundation we have," Murray said.
"Jordan himself will be huge when he arrives and most of our recruits are from interstate from the SANFL and NEAFL.
"We're excited to meet the new guys we've got on board and get stuck into training with them.
"A few more senior players around the young guys will help."
Murray said rising star Josh Mathey has been leading the way in the club's time trials, while Kade Mimmo, Isaac Cassidy, Ollie Greenhill, Noah Bradshaw and Hudson Garoni, who will play at Wodonga when not selected for Werribee, have been among the standouts on the track.
"We've laid it down pretty early with our training habits and accountability, which needs to be driven by the group itself and they're taking that on board," Murray said.
"It's been happening a little bit when the chips are down that everybody disappears, but the fact everyone is up and about, there's a good vibe and everyone is buying into it and keeping involved is really exciting."
Wodonga has one more training run on Tuesday night before it takes a break for Christmas.
Beau Greenway
Beau Greenway is a journalist at The Border Mail. He likes to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Beau Greenway is a journalist at The Border Mail. He likes to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
