This time last year, the Bulldogs went into the break nursing their wounds after a 57-point drubbing from the Cats, but there’s a different feeling around the kennel this week, as the Dogs completed final training session before the break.

After disposing of St.Kilda by 40-points on the weekend, the Dogs sit in fourth place on the AFL ladder after ten rounds of football, and are in a ‘good position’ according to coach Luke Beveridge.

“Considering what happened last year, Geelong really beat us quite easily before our bye and it wasn’t a nice way to go out on a break,” Beveridge told media post-match on Saturday.

“So this is a nice time to reflect, think about the work we’ve put in, how it sets us up for the back end of the year, and back full of energy and try and string some wins together.”

The Bulldogs had their final training session for the week yesterday, ‘a really good session’, according to the coach, before a CBA mandated four day break.

But while Beveridge said it’s important the players get some rest, with the Swans in Sydney looming after the break, football won’t be far their minds.

“I think we’re in a good position in that now is the time to relax our minds a little bit.

“But we play Sydney on the Thursday, so our players have got to really look after themselves, which they do. We can’t really let our hair down on the bye weekend as such, because we have to prepare for a game that’s pretty close to it.”

The Dogs play seven of their last 12 matches in Melbourne, plus one in Ballarat, with trips to Cairns, Adelaide, Brisbane and of course, Sydney to come.