Former VFL coach Ashley Hansen is excited about the prospect of working with a new-look forward line this season as he begins work in his new role as Assistant Coach – Forwards after two seasons leading Footscray.

Alongside the likes of Tom Boyd, Jake Stringer, Tory Dickson and Liam Picken among others – Hansen will also have Stewart Crameri, returning to the fold after a year away from the game, and big man Travis Cloke, at his disposal.

View the squad for tonight's JLT clash with Brisbane

 "We certainly have an abundance of talent up there that moves through both the midfield and the forward line and getting the two groups working together is really important. It's really exciting to be working with that group because we have plenty of options,” Hansen said.

After taking the VFL side to a premiership last season, Hansen is relishing the challenges the change of roles has presented to him.

"I'm going into my fifth year at the footy club so still coaching but just in a different area with a different focus. I'm really enjoying working with Daniel [Giansiracusa], Joel [Corey] and Steven [King] in the assistant coaches room, and working with our forward line group, which is an exciting group."

After opening the pre-season with a hit-out against Melbourne, Hansen said tonight's second JLT Community Series match against Brisbane will be a great opportunity for the Bulldogs to progress towards being cherry ripe for its Round 1 clash against Collingwood on March 24.

"It was good to start our pre-season campaign and see where we're at after a long summer of training and playing against ourselves. To be able to put everyone on the same team and play against an opposition certainly allowed us to evaluate where we're at, so we're just looking for progression in the pre-season phase.

"This week provides another opportunity for our team to continually improve for guys who play their first game and build towards round 1."

Those playing their first game of the pre-season campaign include several young newcomers to the Bulldogs.

“We've got a really great mix. We've got some younger players playing their first game with us in Tim English, Paddy Lapinski and Nathan Mullenger-McHugh, so it's really exciting for those guys to be wearing the colours for the first time. That youthfulness brings an energy and excitement to the group, so it'll be a really nice blend out there.”

Tonight’s Etihad Stadium match against Brisbane commences at 7:40pm.