SEAN Hayne has begun adjusting to his role as Gunnedah Bulldogs first grade rugby league coach, after guiding the North Tamworth Bears to two consecutive under 18 premierships.
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The Bulldogs last month had four training runs on their home ground, Kitchener Park, working “predominantly (on) just fitness”, Hayne said.
The coach referred to “short, sharp work” such as shuttle runs as first graders, reserve graders and a few under 18s took part.
One of the sessions involved a barbecue and “meet and greet” time following training.
Hayne noted that a lot of the players played touch football or oztag during summer and although their fitness wasn’t quite as good as it could be, “they know what they have to work on”.
The Bulldogs are set to return to training next Friday and continue training one day each week until mid or late February, as Hayne indicated that touch football and oztag commitments needed to come into consideration.
With the Bulldogs having made the finals but not the grand final in last year’s first and reserve grade competitions, Hayne said: “The majority of last year’s team is keen to play (on).”
Aaron Donnelly, James Donnelly, Hayden Smith, Dylan Smith, Lachlan King, Keegan Loughrey, Brandon Collins and Lance Martin were among the familiar players at last month’s training.
The likelihood of Danny Read playing on is uncertain due to work commitments, while former captain-coach Trent Hilton’s situation is unclear due to the knee injury he sustained last season.
Hayne said that as was the case previously, football commitments for some players had to fit around their rostered work shifts.
“Most of the players seem keen and ready to go,” he said.
The coach said that at the second training session he outlined what he expected from the players in terms of training, behaviour, and “taking ownership of their performances”.
Most of the players seem keen and ready to go
- Gunnedah Bulldogs coach Sean Hayne