COACHES CORNER
MARK HORNE
SENIORS COACH
1
How has the team been preparing in the off-season to come back stronger?
The boys are really putting in the hard work, numbers have been fantastic and everyone is doing extra sessions outside of training to really improve.
2
Are there any key areas you’re looking to improve on from last season?
Our forward half connection and midfield stoppages.
3
What are the main goals for the team this year—both on and off the field?
Over all in general improvement in all areas, the club has become a lot more professional over the last few months and I think as a team finals is definitely the target.
4
Are there any new signings or rising talents we should watch out for?
Squad has 11 new signings at this stage, hoping they can all have a big impact for the club.
5
Who has impressed you the most during pre-season training?
Josh Butson has made big improvements over the off season and I think as a 17/18 year old is setting himself up for a really good year. Dom Booth & Flynn Mcpherson have also come back a lot fitter.
6
How do you balance the development of young players with the experience of senior players?
Trying to get the young boys to train with us as much as they can and want is the first step, that allows our more senior guys to guide them at trainings in preparation for game days.
7
What advice do you give players to keep their performance at a high level throughout the season?
Keep doing additional work away from the footy club by yourself to maintain or keep improving whether that be fitness, extra skills sessions or strength.
8
What do you see as the team’s biggest strengths heading into 2025?
I think in the seniors it will be our depth this year, with the addition of 11 recruits and 3 players back from long term injuries and only losing two players from last years squad we should have really good depth now.
9
What kind of culture are you trying to build within the team?
We’re trying to make it a welcoming and professional club where people want to come and play and do get enjoyment out of it when they are at the club whether that be for training, a function or a beer after the game.
10
If you could describe the 2025 Bulldogs in three words, what would they be?
On the rise
DAN SMITH
WOMENS COACH
1
How has the team been preparing in the off-season to come back stronger?
The girls have been putting in some gritty work early, a mix of individual sessions and pre-Christmas sessions giving us an edge in our 2025 preparation.
2
Are there any key areas you’re looking to improve on from last season?
This season we want to be more consistent with our competitiveness. We’ve demonstrated we have what it takes to become winners, but need to progress and go that next step and return to finals footy. This will come with commitment, effort and efficiency.
3
What are the main goals for the team this year—both on and off the field?
To continue to develop our young and somewhat inexperienced group, furthering their footy skills and game knowledge and to have some more fun and success.
4
Are there any new signings or rising talents we should watch out for?
Tiarne Sparks who joins us from Manunda (recruit) and Brooke Knight returning post ACL injury in 2023.
5
Who has impressed you the most during pre-season training?
Tiarne Sparks. Since joining the club, she’s rarely missed a session and demonstrating her leadership qualities and sharing her experience of the game to assist with developing our group.
6
How do you balance the development of young players with the experience of senior players?
Trying to incorporate drills and strategies that can be understood and effective regardless if you’ve never kicked a footy or played for 15 years. Making the environment as inclusive as possible by mixing our juniors and senior players and letting them share any other tips they may have to improve each others games.
7
What advice do you give players to keep their performance at a high level throughout the season?
Continue to turn up for each other and make up for missed sessions so you don’t fall behind.
8
What do you see as the team’s biggest strengths heading into 2025?
The willingness to improve. Having a major improvement last season demonstrated that our girls are capable of having success. When there are times we fall short, being able to try again and work on being better than the last training / game / contest etc.
9
What kind of culture are you trying to build within the team?
A fun and positive team first culture, where we show up and are accountable to one another and doing our best for the group.
10
If you could describe the 2025 Bulldogs in three words, what would they be?
Improved, dangerous, great
