Bulldogs back in training on Monday

Western Bulldogs are about to go through a punishing pre-Christmas training schedule as they prepare themselves for the AFL 2010 season.

The younger players will be first up, starting on Monday at Whitten Oval with a light session before going into a five-week camp.

Older players at the club will be back on November 23 and will have six days of training a week with half-days on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The club's official website reported all members of the squad will be in training of some kind despite a significant number of post-season operations.

General manager of football James Fantasia said: "They're all doing something. Every single player will come back and be involved in some sort of programme, even the post-season surgeries."

The bulldogs are among the earliest starters in the pre-2010 season training programmes, and are currently on 6.50 third favourites in Sportsbet's AFL betting market.

Geelong and St Kilda are on 4.25 apiece and remain joint favourites with most bookmakers for next season.