Western Bulldogs training camp crucial for team bonding says Lachie Hunter

THE Western Bulldogs have hit the beach in Torquay but there’ll be no time for relaxing with Lachie Hunter saying there’s sure to be plenty of pain during the club’s training camp.

Western Bulldogs players at a training camp in Torquay. Picture: Michael Klein

THE Surf Coast turned Dog beach on Monday as the Western Bulldogs descended on Torquay.

The pre-Christmas training expedition started out in less gruelling fashion than in recent years, according to midfielder Lachie Hunter, with a morning session at Whitten Oval before hitting the dunes.

FATHER-SON: WEST NAME RETURNS TO WHITTEN OVAL

CHECK OUT ALL THE TRAINING CAMP PICS BELOW

NEW BLOOD: YOUNG DOGS CLAIM GREATS’ GUERNSEYS

But he knows better than to speak too soon, all too aware that coach Luke Beveridge could have plenty more up his sleeve in coming days.

“It is only day one. I’m sure there’s a fair bit more in store over the next couple of days which will make it as bad as they normally are,” Hunter said.

Mitch Wallis jumps over Luke Dahlhaus. Picture: Michael Klein

Luke Dahlhaus jumps over Mitch Wallis. Picture: Michael Klein

“We pretty much just turn up and find out (what we’re going to be doing), I think that’s part of the mental side of it. They keep the boys guessing the whole time and put a bit of fear in to add to it all.

“The energy is always up at the start of a camp and the boys have attacked it really well.”

The team engaged in boxing and running drills on the sand in the 33C heat, with Hunter backing the value of such trips.

“The main thing you get out of it is the team-building side of things,” he said.

“Bevo has been massive on that. Aside from the physical stuff, which can be pretty gruelling.”

Hunter, 23, said draftees Josh Schache, Jackson Trengove and Hayden Crozier have slotted in seamlessly.

“All three have pretty much been in full training the whole time and have been looking good in our match play and game simulation,” he said.

“It’s exciting what they’ll bring this year.”

Lachie Hunter leads his group back up the beach. Picture: Michael Klein

Western Bulldogs players hit the surf in Torquay. Picture: Michael Klein

Western Bulldogs players in a boxing session in Torquay. Picture: Michael Klein

Western Bulldogs players take part in a tug of war. Picture: Michael Klein

Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. Picture: Michael Klein

Western Bulldogs players run down the beach in Torquay. Picture: Michael Klein

Jason Johannisen lifts a medicine ball. Picture: Michael Klein

Lachie Hunter and Caleb Daniel back-to-back. Picture: Michael Klein

Originally published as Western Bulldogs training camp crucial for team bonding says Lachie Hunter