WESTERN Bulldogs will officially settle into their adopted Ballarat home base next week.
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The Bulldogs have confirmed an open training session at Eureka Stadium on Thursday morning, from 9.30am, as a key feature in the club’s Ballarat community camp.
Bulldogs players and officials have been busy building their presence about town since forming an alignment with the City of Ballarat in late October.
Players, including former Ballarat player Jordan Roughead, joined school clinics last week in the region last week as part of the club’s regional road trip.
But a two-day camp, starting Wednesday, officially stamps Ballarat as Bulldogs territory.
Ballarat had been home to North Melbourne and was the Kangaroos’ major community camp for the past six years, however the Bulldogs are moving in under a long-term strategy to strengthen their grip in the western corridor.
Bulldogs players and staff will be involved in a civic reception, primary school and grassroots club visits.
The club will host a NAB Challenge match against Melbourne at Eureka Stadium on March 14.
This follows Ballarat’s first NAB Challenge game last year, in which North Melbourne hosted Carlton – the Kangaroos had hosted other inter-club pre-season matches in Ballarat, including a clash against Western Bulldogs in 2012.
The Bulldogs will open their NAB Challenge campaign at Whitten Oval, their spiritual home and training base, against Richmond on Saturday evening.