TERANG MORTLAKE coach Ben Kenna is feeling encouraged by the Bloods players' efforts in the first week of pre-season training.
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Kenna, who is entering his first season as coach of the Bloods' senior side, said a number of his players "have got back in good shape".
The three-time Kolora-Noorat premiership coach said his players' commitment to individual work away from the training track would play a big part in the early stages of pre-season.
"They have been good at doing work before we started as there is no requirements for them to do the extra work," he said.
They have been good at doing work before we started as there is no requirements for them to do the extra work.
- Ben Kenna
"The individual training they take care of themselves. I think they need to be doing some level of fitness away from the club.
"Most of the guys are wise enough with what they need to individually do."
The Bloods have also been boosted by the return of Mark Clissold, who departed the club last season for eventual Warrnambool and District league premiers Kolora-Noorat.
Kenna said Clissold had committed to the Hampden league club. The 28-year-old's clearance is currently pending.
"Mark will be a good fit again and he is a very talented player who wanted to test himself at that level and it's good for the club and good for him to be back," Kenna said of Clissold returning.
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Martin Wynd is also crossing over from Kolora-Noorat and will coach the Bloods' reserves. Ben Finnerty has taken over from Craig Fowler as the under 18s coach.
Kenna said the Bloods had over 20 players on the track at the first training on Monday. He added that all three groups would combine next week as they ramp up preparations for 2020.
"I think it will be beneficial for everyone to get all three squads on the same page for things to implement through the season," he said.
Kenna said the current training plan was to ease his players back into the footy groove.
"We are trying to work on basic skills and get the players' confidence up a bit,"he said.
"There is not too much science to it, it's more to get basic skills down pat and get them confident in those things for now.
"We will work more on game plans after Christmas."
Kenna said a number of the club's young stars had already started staking their claims for senior spots.
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