The turf remained unruffled and the footy’s stayed in the bins a little bit longer than usual this year following the Bulldogs’ October grand final triumph, but with the full squad now back on deck, Luke Dahlhaus says it’s a case of back to work for the 2016 premiers.

“It’s head down, bum-up,” he told westernbulldogs.com.au this week.

“The body’s a little bit sore, all of the five-plus boys have done about three full days now, so it hurts to sit down a little bit but it’s good to be back – the boys are up and about.”

It wasn’t all beaches and sunshine for the players over the break, rather, with the later start in mind there was a heavier focus than usual in keeping sharp and in shape.

“Matty Inness, our fitness coach, gave us a program over the off-season and it was probably a little bit harder than it was in the past just because we’re coming back a little bit later. 

“Not that there’s a little bit of catch-up to do but probably when we’ve come in we’ve done a few more extra k’s than what we’d do usually, so it’s great to start back on December 5^th, the boys are mentally and physically ready to go.”

Dahlhaus, who travelled through Europe and Asia over the offseason, said the time away from the game provided a time to reflect on what the Club achieved in 2016 and has left him with more than enough motivation to take into the new season.

“I’ve got a little bit of memorabilia from the Grand Final, you hang it up in your house and it reminds you what a special moment it was. 

“[But] now it’s time to move on and hopefully we’re on track to chase another one.”