It was love at first sight for player and Club once Jackson Trengove and the Western Bulldogs began circling each other during the 2017 Trade Period, ahead of the former Power tall signing a three year deal in October.

For the Dogs, it was the chance to get in a player who could play at both ends of the ground, and pinch hit in the ruck, while for the 27-year-old it was a chance to come home and raise a family with a Club keen on returning to finals action.

“I had the Western Bulldogs on my radar and lucky for me they were keen to have me on board,” he told media at a joint Christmas Open Training with the Club’s AFLW team on Saturday.

“The footy club as a whole couldn’t be any more impressive from when I was meeting with them and catching up with Bevo.

“Once I got here it was ultra-professional and I’ve been excited to be here.”

As a young father with twins on the way, the pull to Melbourne was natural, but it’s been all work since pre-season began in November.  

“For us it’s just about hard work.  It’s a long pre-season so it’s about ticking off each session but it’s not only getting out there and getting through each session it’s about improving, that’s what Bevo’s about, he’s about improving each session and getting better and better.”

As for where exactly he’ll play his football this season Trengove said it was too early to say, but his versatility will provide Luke Beveridge and his coaching staff with valuable flexibility.

“It’s probably going to play out over the next few months but just being able to play in a number of positions is going to help the team, he said. I’ll play wherever Bevo puts me or wherever the team requires. 

Just being able to play in different positions; that’s what we’ve been doing over the pre-season.  Eventually when it gets closer to Round 1, hopefully my name is getting mentioned.

The Bulldogs open up their JLT Community Series Campaign in Ballarat on Saturday March 3.