Just over a month through his first full pre-season, Western Bulldogs forward Caleb Daniel has returned a more determined player.

As a first-year player, Daniel had a late start to the 2015 pre-season campaign, joining the group with his fellow draftees a few weeks after the main group.

Impressing in his first few weeks with his willingness to learn, his dogged attitude and his neat foot skills, Daniel played two out of three NAB Challenge games in 2015.

Daniel was undeniably in the mix for a round one call-up, before succumbing to a knee injury which kept him on the sidelines for seven weeks.

“It was a bit of an annoyance more than anything coming into round one, it was just at a very ‘perfect’ time.

“Watching the boys being able to succeed a little bit in that time was awesome, but I would have loved to have been out there.”

Daniel eventually got his chance in round 14 against Carlton, in a notable display where he picked up 14 disposals as the second-half sub.

“Coming into a new club you just want to gain the trust and the friendship of the group.

“Being able to do that relatively early was incredible, and then being able to play a few games, I couldn’t have really asked for more.”

Daniel played 10 games in his debut season, including the Club’s elimination final.

“It was the best experience of my football career so far and being able to come on in the last quarter in front of 60,000 was incredible.”

Despite what most would consider a solid first season, Daniel says he’s ready to improve and progress – over his first full pre-season.

“I’ve probably worked on my strength, just becoming a little bit bigger and I suppose move around and work opponents a little bit more.