With the 2017 fixture now announced, and a firm day, date and opponent on the horizon, the Western Bulldogs women’s team could not be more excited according to Brooke Lochland.

“I’m way too excited”, the midfielder told westernbulldogs.com.au this week.   

“Even training is exciting right now, so I can’t wait until the games start.”

While the fixture release has been circled on the calendar for a while, Lochland said that the feeling of anticipation among the group has been that way since day one of pre-season, two weeks ago.

“We all got there about two hours before, everybody was so keen to get out on the track and get going, and even after training, everyone was hanging around for a while just chatting and getting to know each other which was really good.”

It’s been a back to basics approach on the track from coach Paul Groves, Lochland said, with skills and conditioning a focus, but both on and off the track the group has bonded quickly.

“I think it’s really good that everyone in their own way is a leader, everyone has their strength and weaknesses and you can really learn off of everybody, she said..

“The group has bonded really well in the two weeks that we’ve known each other, so, it’s really exciting for us coming into 2017.”