The father-son recruit said training predominantly with a smaller, development group, combined with the influx of specialist coaching staff at Whitten Oval this pre-season has given coaches more scope to hone in on individual weaknesses.
“It’s been really beneficial… training with the smaller group with the younger boys,” Hunter said.
“[The development] coaches, they can really fix up deficiencies in your game and… make you improve a lot quicker than you otherwise would.”
Alongside his fellow draftees, Hunter has spent the pre-season working closely with the Bulldogs development coaches, including Peter German and Chris Maple, as well as ex-West Coast Premiership player Ashley Hansen who joined the Dogs coaching panel in November.
The more individualised approach has already begun to pay off, with Hunter able to target and build on his skillset.
The goal-kicking midfielder has made a conscious effort to improve his disposal by foot over summer, as well as continuing to hone his contested ball work to compliment his natural outside game.
Hunter is also working hard to familiarise himself with the Bulldogs game plan and team structures.
“Obviously a lot of meetings, especially for the first year boys who have come in fresh and don’t really know any of the setups or the structures,” he said.
“The coaches - and the players as well in drills - have all been really good in helping us understand it all and getting to know it.”
Understanding his role within the team will become increasingly important if the 18-year-old is given the call up to play senior football during the Bulldogs’ NAB Cup campaign, which kicks off on Friday 15 February 2013.
