Dahlhaus fresh and fired up

GEELONG recruit Luke Dahlhaus says a fresh start and an injury-free pre-season will help return him to his best form.

The premiership-winning Western Bulldog hit the training track with the Cats for the first time yesterday, a week ahead of schedule.

The former Geelong Falcon, who joined the Cats as a free agent, said it was refreshing to return to his home town and hopes the shift has a positive affect on his footy.

“I think this fresh start will be great for me and I’m looking forward to starting,” he said.

“It’s good to get around family again.

“I missed a lot of birthdays living in Melbourne, so it’s been good to get around them and it just mentally refreshes me, I think, and has got me excited for the season coming up.”

An ankle injury in Round 18 against the Eagles ended Dahlhaus’ time at the Bulldogs at 154 games, but the 26-year-old is confident he has recovered ahead of a summer on the track.

“I feel really good — it’s good to have a good break,” Dahlhaus told the Cats’ website.

“It’s been a bit of a big one for me because I obviously got injured about Round 18 last year, so legs are a little bit sore after the first session back but it’s been great.

“(My) ankle is all fixed and ready to go so just need to work on the tank and get that going a bit and get back to working with the footies.”

Dahlhaus said his focus would be on building his endurance to give coaches the option of playing him on-ball.

“I come into every pre-season just trying to build the tank and get it the best I can so I can run out games better,” he said.

“From all discussions with the coaches, that’s looking how it’s going to be — probably starting forward and maybe pinch-hitting in the midfield here and there.

“It’s still a long way, away — it’s only the first session, so I’ve got plenty of work (to do) between there and now.”