The Western Bulldogs are ramping up pre-season sessions as they approach the NAB Challenge.

With just under seven weeks until the opening pre-season game against Richmond at Victoria University Whitten Oval, the playing group is starting to see noticeable improvements after a gruelling summer on the track.

Midfielder Nathan Hrovat said the move post-Christmas to include more match simulation sessions had been a positive one.

“(We’re) starting to get into some match simulation and match type stuff now, so I guess we’re just going to build from here.

“A lot of the boys have come back really fit and firing.”

Most notably, forward Jake Stringer, who has caught the attention of several of his teammates since returning from the Christmas break.

“Jakey Stringer’s been really good on the track.”

Speaking following the team photo shoot on Friday, Hrovat’s sentiments were echoed by forward Lachie Hunter and draftee Toby McLean.

“In the match simulation yesterday, String was probably one who stood out with his power and speed,” Hunter said.

McLean, when asked who had impressed him most in his first two months at the club was definitive, “probably Stringer, Jake Stringer, he’s just a workhorse.”