WIMMERA footballer Brett Goodes will return to the Western Bulldogs senior list with high hopes for 2015.
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Goodes was promoted after youngster Tom Liberatore was placed on the long-term injury list with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
He said it was disappointing to lose an exciting young talent but he was happy to have a second chance with the seniors.
‘‘It’s disappointing for the club and the playing group, but it provides an opportunity for a rookie to come up,’’ he said.
Goodes was delisted at the end of 2014, but was picked up in the rookie draft after a best-on-ground performance in the Victorian Football League’s grand final triumph against Box Hill last year.
‘‘It was a weird way to end last year. I knew I was being delisted,’’ he said.
‘‘It was great to get re-rookied and have a solid pre-season, drop a few kilos and then have a good NAB Challenge series.’’
Goodes starts the AFL season in strong form.
He performed well in the pre-season competition, gathering 16 touches and kicking a goal in the Dogs’ seven-point loss to Melbourne.
He also collected 19 possessions, laid six tackles and booted two goals in the side’s 61-point demolition of Collingwood.
‘‘As a whole group, we’ve focused on a few areas, and a new game plan and style,’’ he said.
‘‘We really tried to nail it down in the pre-season and I think we showed against Collingwood what we can do when we’re on the same page.’’
Goodes hoped the team could carry its good form into round one when it meets the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Saturday night.