Pre-season may have started for the Gunnedah Bulldogs but the hard work is still a while away.
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Training - which started on November 1 - will be run on Sundays up until Christmas and, for now anyway, is more about bonding for the Bulldogs.
Coach Mick Schmiedel doesn't want to start on the tough stuff too early.
"It's more about getting together and playing some games," Schmiedel said.
"There hasn't been any footy and a lot of them haven't had much to do with each other."
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That is unless they played in the Wests Entertainment Group 9s.
The 9s tournament was "a blessing" for the Bulldogs that took part and while the 9s helped those players, Schmiedel said there was still plenty of work to be done before 2021.
"It'll be fairly tough from day one," Schmiedel said of pre-season training from January onward.
The feedback Schmiedel has received from his players on football was that "they have missed it".
And as far as the coach knows, he'll have a similar squad to the one he had prior to the abandoned 2020 season.
"From what I know, all my guys are staying. I haven't been told anyone is going.
"One or two may have changed their mind but I'm preparing for everyone to be there," he said.
Schmiedel is confident there will be a season in 2021 and said all clubs should be prepared to go.
"It's not just my club, we've all had plenty of time to prepare for protocols and covid plans," he said.
"Bottom line, there are covid plans out there and clubs should be ready by March."
Schmiedel could see some positives coming out of the year off.
With clubs likely to need more volunteers to ensure the safety of those at the ground, Schmiedel hoped it would bring out the volunteer in people.
"Not just players but spectators, families, fans - I think they've missed footy as well," Schmiedel
"Clubs will be calling for covid marshals on game days, people to clean sheds, all that sort of thing. So, hopefully a few more people give their time."