flying around the football fields last week as pre-season training cranked up a gear.

Both the Strikers and Bulldogs were out on the paddock, with pleasing numbers at both Mitchell and Fisher Park.

The Strikers are under the

leadership of former premiership winning player Mick Godbier who has recruited another club legend in Mick Simons as his assistant.

Godbier wasted no time in

putting his troops through

their paces and, while his early emphasis is on fitness, Godbier’s style means the balls are never far away from the feet.

And while there has been a great response to the two senior men’s teams, with close to 30 on the books for first and reserve grade, the Strikers are looking for more youngsters to join their Blake Trophy squad.

There has been a change in the format of the Blake Trophy

competition this year, with all games to be played at 1pm on the Saturday.

With Godbier filling the role of club coach, he will be aided in the Blake Trophy by first graders Adam McPhail and Derek Krogh.

The club is also hoping to create a first in 2012 and field two women’s teams, but again need a few more players to commit to the season.

Bulldogs coach Aaron Byrne also centered his Tuesday night session around fitness and ball work, with the senior players

executing some crisp set plays.

Byrne has taken sole leadership of the Bulldogs this season after the pending departure of last year’s co-coach Grant Boyd and, while the loss of Boyd and certain others is a blow, the Bulldogs are

confident of fielding a very competitive team.

The club is thrilled to announce that Matt Dickinson has again agreed to take on the reserve grade coaching role, while Ashley Dobson, one of the most exciting players in the leaguetag competition, will coach the Bullettes.

The club has extended an open invitation to all intending under 16s and 18s players to join them at training each week.

Meanwhile the Cootamundra Blues commenced their official pre-season program at Clarke Oval last night, while the Tricolours will hit the track next week on both Tuesday and Thursday night.