AFLW head coach Tam Hyett says the team is ready to consolidate what it learnt last season.

Hyett’s Bulldogs finished her maiden campaign at the helm with four wins from 11 games.

Speaking with 3AW’s Laura Spurway on the eve of pre-season, the second-year coach said she looked forward to building on last year.

“It’s an exciting time of the year - you’re always filled with optimism,” Hyett said.

“We were coming into the unknown (last season) - 12 months ago I was still learning the names of people in the building, so it was a real discovery piece last year. We had a lot of change which brings its challenges, but has been a real driver of growth for this program too.

“We can be quite an impatient industry and want things to happen straight away, but we’re realistic about what we achieved last year and I think the four wins for us were indicators of what the group can do moving forward.

“We see this year as a real opportunity to consolidate some really good behaviours and standards that we’ve set but also climb.”

While the team officially returned for pre-season last week, Hyett and a number of players have been immersing themselves in the AFL program since the start of the year.

“It’s been great. I had a bit of time off in January, but since then have been welcomed with open arms into the men’s program,” Hyett said.

“Ladey is our (AFLW) Director of Coaching, so he assists the W program as a mentor and is all round a good guy - he’s just been himself.

“Matt Egan and Bevo have all been really inviting, not just for myself but also our other coaches and even our players too.

“It’s been fantastic to be able to pick their brains, leverage off their knowledge and see how we can potentially take some things from their program and shape it towards the women’s program.”