Maple, who coached Buninyong to a Central Highlands Football League premiership on the ground in 2002 and guided the North Ballarat Rebels there as head coach, is already looking forward to the Bulldogs’ game in Ballarat during August.

The club will tackle Port Adelaide in a round 22 fixture, the first game for premiership points ever held in Ballarat.

Maple, the Bulldogs’ new coaching performance manager, helped lead a light training session at Eureka Stadium on Monday morning as part of the two-day community camp.

He admitted the club is feeling the love from the region’s community.

“There's a bit of work to do, but it's coming along,” Maple said of Eureka Stadium, which is currently being redeveloped.

“We're really excited about coming up here to play our games and making it a Bulldog fortress.

“We know the community is behind us and we are putting a lot into making that happen.

"Hopefully it can all get finished and we have a win in August.

“I just know, being from the local community, so many people are on board and want us to do well and are really excited about having AFL footy come to their town.”

Monday’s open training session was essentially recovery from Saturday’s pre-season clash against Melbourne, with players basically there to meet and greet fans as well as sign autographs and pose for photos.

Despite the lack of a serious hit-out, many of the club’s stars were in attendance.

The big names included premiership players Jason Johannisen, Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore, Caleb Daniel, Tom Boyd and Jake Stringer.

Collingwood recruit Travis Cloke was there, as was skipper Bob Murphy.

The squad in Ballarat will take part in a closed training session at Eureka Stadium on Tuesday before heading home later in the afternoon.

A group of Western Bulldogs players and coaches is also currently in Horsham as part of the community camp.