The club’s pre-season training was initially set to begin on Tuesday, however the storm closed all sporting grounds.

First grade coach Glen Buttriss will be supported by Scott Piffero in reserves, with Matt Forsyth for the under 18s, Matt Ward for the under 16s and Renae Glanville and Kristen Byrne will guide the league tag side.

Piffero was the last coach the club announced in late December, he previously coached the reserve side in 2017.

He first coaching stint for the Bulldogs was the reserve grade in 2009 before returning to the club last year after a stint with Yanco in Group 20.

“He struggled with numbers a bit through the year but he stuck with it and they won their last game against Tumut,” Bulldogs president Mark Kennedy said.

Piffero said he was looking forward to working with Buttriss during the season.

“He knows his football. It’s only going to put Coota in good stead to learn from someone of Glen’s calibre,” Piffero said.

“It should be an exciting year. I’m still playing but it will be my last year of play.”

Piffero said the plan for reserves was to get the players fit and start building good structures.

“I’m expecting a few kilometres on the track, you’ve got to do a few hard yards to get awards at the end of the year.”

He said the club’s reserve grade side “were really good value” but had found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger in recent years.

“Last year’s reserve grade competition was the strongest I’ve seen in a long time,” he said.

“I put it down to 18s, a 18s side helps the club immensely.”

Kennedy said under 18s would be in good hands of Matt Forsyth while Mark Ward would be assisted by Jason Wilson to lead the under 16s.

He said he was positive the Bulldogs would have a under 16s side for 2018.

“There’s a solid group of teenagers who fill the core of the 16s team,” he said.

“We might pick up a few players from Harden but we’ll see what happens.”