It has been an off-season of change at the Kennel, but the clean slate that comes with the new football year has Stewart Crameri re-energized to attack the hard work ahead.

After making the most of his time away from the Club, Crameri admits he felt ready to put the holiday time behind him and return to the football routine.

“It was a good break, but I think I was ready to come back,” Crameri said.

“Everyone likes to get into the start of preseason, looking forward to next year.”

“New players, new staff, new coach, and I think it is exciting for the guys coming in, and you can see that with how they’re training at the moment.”

After crossing from the Bombers last preseason, the 26-year-old forward didn’t miss a game in 2014, leading the Dogs’ goal-kicking with 37.

Crameri was amongst some of the top performers in endurance testing last preseason, and has started his 2015 campaign in similar shape.

The increasingly youthful list, and the addition of new personnel across the offseason has Crameri excited about the trajectory of the playing group – upwards.

“It’s going to be an interesting season, with the younger guys I think they just need to develop [their bodies and craft] a bit more.”

“The coaches and the fitness staff will sit down and just see where everyone is at, and just try and build on what they did last year.”

“Hopefully we can come into the games and be more consistent.”