NORTH HEIDELBERG coach Stephen Saddington says his side will be looking to get off to a good start in its return to the top flight in 2015.
The Bulldogs were the clear standout team in Division 2 last season, losing just two games en route to a 36-point victory over the Fitzroy Stars in the Grand Final.
Having fallen agonisingly short of promotion in 2012 and 2013, Saddington says it would have been disappointing had the club not finally achieved its goal in 2014.
"I’ve been here three years now and the goal was to achieve promotion three years ago," Saddington told NFL.org.au.
"We thought we were probably the best side over the year and it would have been a waste for the club to spend another year in Division 2."
Although Division 1 will present North Heidelberg with entirely different challenges to those faced in Division Two, Saddington says that there has been no change in approach to preparation for season 2015 throughout what has been a positive pre-season.
"It’s been pretty similar (to 2014)," Saddington said. "We’ve been pretty ruthless with the way we’ve trained…the senior group of around 35 haven’t missed a night."
The Doggies have somewhat flown under the radar throughout the current transfer period, with former Mallee Eagles big man Simon Andrews being the club’s biggest signing to date.
Andrews booted 63 goals in 20 games for Mallee over the past two seasons and Saddington is optimistic that there will be more moves made before the opening round.
"We recruited pretty heavily last season when we won the flag, we were chasing Division 1-calibre players," Saddington said.
"We’ve picked up Simon Andrews from up Swan Hill way, who is a big key forward and key back.
"There’s also a couple of young guys we’ve picked up, including young Kyle Green from the (Northern) Knights and there’s a few more signings we’re hoping to get over the line this week."
North Heidelberg boasts seven players who gained selection in the 2014 Division 2 Team of the Year and with Blake Holmes the only member of the premiership team not returning, the Doggies are well placed in their quest to retain their Division 1 status.
Star player Shane Harvey will once again have an important role to play for the Bulldogs in 2015.
Saddington predicts that Harvey, who has kicked 336 goals for North Heidelberg over the past three seasons alone, will split his time between the midfield and forward line.
"He’ll probably play 60 per cent midfield, 40 per cent forward," Saddington said.
"The way the game is going will dictate where we play him. He’s such a luxury to have."
With Division 1 being such an even competition, there will be no such thing as an easy game for the reigning Division 2 premier.
"It’s the old cliche really – we’ll be taking it one week at a time," Saddington said. "If we can win a couple early and get no injuries, who knows what can happen from there."
North Heidelberg will play its final practice match at home to Doncaster this Saturday before unfurling the Division 2 flag in front of Macleod at Shelley Street on April 11.
