Matt Suckling says missing Western Bulldogs’ 2016 premiership hasn’t made him hungrier this pre-season

WESTERN Bulldogs defender Matt Suckling says working hard in the pre-season will help keep his troublesome achilles at bay.

Matt Suckling was at last year’s Grand Final parade but did not play in the decider. Picture: Michael Klein

WESTERN Bulldogs defender Matt Suckling says working hard in the pre-season will help keep his troublesome achilles at bay.

Suckling remains on a modified program ahead of next month’s pre-season competition.

The 28-year-old booming left footer last year missed out on playing in a third premiership after battling an achilles injury from Round 15 when he was kicked in the back of the leg.

“The achilles put me back a little bit. I started running just after Christmas and just working through that at the moment … (it is) a lot of hard work at the moment but looking good,” Suckling said from the Sunshine Coast.

“I suppose when you do get injured you always worry that it’s going to happen again but that’s why probably over the break you put in so much effort and so much work so you can come back and it won’t let you down again.”

The premiers travelled north last Wednesday for their annual preseason camp.

What a day to catch the @westernbulldogs training 👌🏽🐶 #gatherthepack #bemorebulldog pic.twitter.com/pEap9JTU7e

— Jessica Jonassen (@JJonassen21) 29 January 2017

Suckling said training under the Queensland sun has tested the Bulldogs.

“It’s certainly a lot harder (with the heat) and sessions have been really hard but the boys love getting up here because a few boys like getting a tan so they’re very happy with that,” Suckling said.

The rebounding defender dismissed talk of him using the missed Bulldogs flag as motivation for this pre-season.

“Not really. Every pre-season you want that (success),” Suckling said.

“Seeing the boys do it last year doesn’t make me any hungrier, that’s why you play footy, that’s why you keep turning up and working hard each day.”

Matt Suckling missed the Bulldogs’ premiership with an achilles injury. Picture: Michael Klein

Suckling played 17 games in his first season at the kennel after 102 games — including two premierships — at Hawthorn.

The Bulldogs will play Melbourne in the opening game of the preseason competition at Whitten Oval on February 18.