Fourteen Bulldogs took to the oval for a quick training session, which involved a hand-passing drill and a rotating kicking drill.

There were just under 300 people at the session enjoying the Bulldogs’ skills and observing premiership coaches Luke Beveridge, Daniel Giansiracusa and Rohen Smith do what they do best.

This is the first time an AFL premiership winning side has hosted a training session in Horsham. 

After the Bulldogs finished the light training run, players and coaches proceeded to sign autographs for the many fans. 

Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly’s David Berry said it was fantastic to have the premiers in Horsham. 

“I was just talking to Brett Goodes and he said how the club was trying to get the brand out to all of western Victoria,” he said. 

Berry said it would help football grow in the Wimmera and Grampians. 

“It’s only going to give all of these young kids a greater opportunity to see something they wouldn’t have got some years ago,” he said. 

AFL Victoria talent manager Jason Muldoon said Bulldogs’ visit to town was important for the development of the game. 

“The young players in the Wimmera see these guys on television so it is good that they could identify face-to-face and know that they are real people,” he said.

“We took a holistic approach this year and tried to spread the coaches and players across all different groups.

“It has been a huge success with everyone getting something out of it.” 

The Western Bulldogs also had players visit junior sides across the Wimmera to assist young footballers with training drills on Monday. 

Bulldogs vice-captain Easton Wood said it was good for the game to come to regional areas. 

“It’s good for clubs to have a presence in these areas because it’s a huge part of growing up in the country.

“Footy is a big thing in a country town so to come back and support that culture and passion for the game is really important,” he said.