The Western Bulldogs ramped up preparations for the AFL season resumption on Friday with a solid block of match practice.

Just nine days from the Club’s Round clash with St Kilda, the Bulldogs were put through their paces in a lengthy session at VU Whitten Oval.

The Dogs are looking to bounce back from their opening round loss to Collingwood, with spots in the 22 up for grabs.

“It starts here in training, and the way you apply yourself in match sim, so you’re not looking to go up a level once games start,” Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae told media before the session.

“It’s really important that we train really hard and once we start Round 2, it’s not a step up from match sim, so that’s really important.”

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The session was also another chance for the likes of Tom Liberatore and Lin Jong to press their claims for a spot, after benefiting from the isolation period to recover from long-term injuries.

“He’s been back training and getting through all the sessions since we get back,” Macrae said of Liberatore.

“That’s probably been one of the pleasing things to see, the amount of healthy guys we’ve had come back to training.  Everyone’s really applied themselves well over the break.

“He’s one of those players I love playing with, because you walk taller around him.

“It’s a question for Bevo about what mix he wants, and what the players will bring.”

The Bulldogs’ Round 2 game will kick off at 6.05pm on Sunday, June 14 at Marvel Stadium, and will be broadcast live on Fox Footy.

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