A number of Bulldogs jumped on the SEN airwaves this Tuesday. Here are the main talking points from each interview. 

Kylie Watson-Wheeler

The President was first up on Tuesday morning, joining Garry Lyon and Tim Watson to discuss the Club’s aspirations for 2026. 

Watson-Wheeler said that having reflected on last season and identified what needed to improve, the AFL program is ready for a big 2026.

"We've certainly spent a lot of time reflecting on (last) year and the things that went well and the things that didn't," Watson-Wheeler said. 

"And how we improve those has definitely been our focus in the off season. But we're very focused now on the year ahead and the season that is fast approaching and we feel really optimistic about where we're heading.

Marcus Bontempelli 

The captain joined Gerard Whateley, echoing Watson-Wheeler’s optimism while looking ahead to the season ahead. 

On preparing for the season:

“We looked at a few things from an off-season and pre-season perspective to extend my build period a little bit more, and take a little bit more time with what was a busy off-season for me in life and everything else. 

I do feel that that's really helped me time my run for the start of the season, and I think that was just a great mature conversation with the team to have at the time of my career that it is right now. 

“The State of Origin game was awesome, and then that probably gave me another thing to look forward to in the tail end of the pre-season that has got me in what I think is good shape to start the year hopefully well.”

On the calibre of leaders emerging in the team:

“With the calibre of guys and their growth, certainly from the mental aspects of the game, we have improved in that area and been able to stop (the opposition’s momentum) at different points and neutralise the game. 

“So for me specifically, it certainly does (help) when you start to look around the room at guys who've grown and have played at a level for a significant period of time. You do know there's always that extra element of guys who can embrace stuff when things get hard.

“And I think we've got more and more of those guys sort of revealing themselves as time goes on. I think they're all great influences on the field, especially when things get tough.”

On captaining Victoria in the State of Origin: 

“I had a great experience over in WA. I think we all acknowledged that there was plenty to do in the few days before in and amongst training…I think that was the responsibility of the players playing to make a really good go of it right from the start. 

“As players, you do crave those opportunities to go beyond the normal bounds of the game and create more memories and experiences.

“I think particularly for me with the connection to EJ at the Bulldogs, and obviously his standing in the game, but also him sort of being the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the State of Origin and the parochial nature of his personality, it was an awesome highlight for me and something that I hope continues.”

Joel Freijah

Freijah told Dwayne Russell he was relishing the opportunity to spend more time in the midfield this season. 

“I’ve really enjoyed moving from the back half to more of the midfield and forward half of the ground,” he said.

“I think I'll start the year there (in the midfield) which will be good. Brendon Lade and Jarryn Geary have helped me a lot, even Bevo as well.

“I’ve really enjoyed the start (to my career so far).”

Ed Richards

Richards joined Andy Maher and Andrew Gaze on The Run Home, chatting through how the team can improve, which players he’s learnt from the most, and how Cody Weightman is tracking. 

On how the team will look to improve:

“I just think that it’s another year of maturity into some of our young blokes…another pre-season under the belts of Joel Freijah, big Sammy Darcy. I think those guys are going to add a lot of value. 

“Obviously our defence has come under question, which is something that we're trying to work on as a whole team because it is sort of an 18-man defence that we try to play. And I feel like our backs have been hung out to dry too much by certain people, so we're going to try to help them as much as possible.

“I think that's where we're going to start, and that's hopefully going to hold us in good stead.”

On learning from Marcus Bontempelli and Tom Liberatore:

“It’s so good to be able to bounce off two of the best players in Bulldogs history. I've really learned so much from them. They obviously make me a lot better of a player as well, with their grit inside and then they're able to release me potentially on the outside. Just being able to play with them is obviously super special.

“I’ve learned so much from the likes of Adam Treloar, Matty Kennedy as well. I've really liked working with him and the big fella as well, Timmy, when he's up and down our throats. It’s a great mix in there and I do love working with all the mids.”

On Cody Weightman: 

“Cody's come along nicely. It's obviously coming from a long way back with Flea, so I'm looking forward to seeing how he's going to progress over the next few weeks and few months or so.

“He's probably still got a little bit to go, but that knee seems to be progressing every day. He’s back running now here and there so as soon as that starts picking up, I'm sure we'll be able to see him (back out there).”

Aaron Naughton

Naughton rounded out the day with Gerard Healy and Ken Hinkley on Sportsday.

On the 1-4 year players: 

“I think a couple of our second year players have probably really taken great leaps this year and the way Cooper Hynes has come back, yeah, covering the ground really well and Lachie Jaques off the halfback. 

“You might've seen a little bit of what he could have done on Thursday against Sydney, but I think they're probably two that have taken their game to another level and will probably play a fair bit of senior footy this year.”

On the start to the season:

“I think the beauty of that is at least we'll probably know where we stand after the first couple of rounds, which is a good thing. 

“You put all the work in in pre-season and, yeah, we'll get some good tests straight up and see where we land and hopefully there's a couple of wins in those columns after those matches.”