From the moment they walked in the door, they were a step behind the main group – whether it was salary or being considered for selection.
And they had to work just as hard – if not harder – than their teammates who didn't face the primary push for elevation in order to get a game.
For new Bulldogs rookies Liam Picken and Jamason Daniels, their determination to punch their way into the coaches' sights is already evident.
They know a spot in the NAB Cup squads is available and an opportunity like that can lead to bigger and better things later in the year.
On Wednesday, Picken and Daniels put in two of the hardest-working performances in the Dogs' intra-club match at Whitten Oval and pushed their names into full view of the selection committee.
Picken, 22, is already known for his endurance and ability to keep up with the Dogs' fittest players. He impressed throughout the match with his tireless running and showed the courage to throw himself on Nathan Eagleton's boot, just as the powerful midfielder went to roost the ball.
Daniels, 18 and considered the "steal" of the rookie draft by coach Rodney Eade, followed the ball everywhere.
"They're always keen to show their wares off," assistant coach Leon Cameron said.
"Daniels had a fair bit of the ball. Like Picken, he's trying to impress to play early games.
"He ran hard, particularly in the second half, and he's got to work on his decision making but we were happy with him."
Another new rookie, Chris Ogle, continues his recovery from a shoulder injury and didn't play.
Impressive performances extended draftees Ayce Cordy and Jordan Roughead, who rotated between the wing and forward line.
Cordy resembled a young giraffe as he bounded around the oval and demonstrated his football smarts and composure.
"He's skinny. He's very light, and he needs a pre-season or two like a lot of young draftees," Cameron said. "But he's got great awareness and we saw a little bit of that today.
"He knows how to play the game and he's got a great attitude. He's going to be a very enjoyable to watch over the next few years.
"There's no pressure on him to play early. He'll play when he's ready."
Liam Jones, the Dogs' third pick of 2008, was attending school at Scotch College.
"He's going to be a little bit like Callan Ward this year," Cameron said.
"It's a wipe-out year for him in terms of footy because he's got to get his education done first. He comes and trains after school, so he wasn't out there today.
"He was injured early on and he's going well through his rehab. We probably expect him to play a couple of practice matches for Williamstown in a couple of weeks' time."
Key position player Jarrad Grant hurt his ankle and sat out the second half of the game while fellow second-year player Jarrad Boumann – recovering from knee and shoulder surgery – watched from the sidelines.
"Grant's into his second year and you can wipe out his first year because of his injury," Cameron said.
"He's starting to string together some training and games through this period, which is good. He's a good kid and he's working really hard.
"He knows now what it takes to compete at this level, and he's hungry for it."
