McKendry agreed to terms on the weekend and joins Damon Bard (Maitland), Ryan Walker (Central Newcastle), Theeran Pearson, Tommy McKenzie (Mackay Cutters), Brock Harmer (Central Coast), Brady Hammond (Greta Branxton), Josh Papworth (West Maitland) Luke Mercer and Shay Padberg (East Maitland) as new players in the Bulldogs squad.

Goannas second-rower McKendry, Newcastle representative prop Bard and former Penrith Panthers back Walker arrive from rival Real NRL outfits.

 Playmakers Pearson and McKenzie return to the region after stints in the Queensland Cup and journeyman Harmer comes to the club from a stint on the  Central Coast.

Hammond was part of the Colts Group 21 ­premiership teams, while former Kurri first ­grader Mercer has been followed by fellow Newcastle and Hunter A-grade players Padberg and Papworth.

These announcements come after last year’s signings of former NRL hooker and Kurri junior Terence Seu Seu (Maitland) as well as South Coast prop Brock Gilmour (Helensburgh).

Bulldogs coach Phil Williams said fresh troops at training, which resumed last week, have provided an injection of much-needed enthusiasm for the tri-colours following a tough winter season just gone.

In 2014 the Bulldogs were ravaged by injuries and recorded only five victories after having made the top grade decider 12 months earlier.

Williams said there was a feeling of renewed confidence at Kurri Sportsground this time around.

“There is a different feel about the place,” he  said. “There is a competitive feel, there is a lot of enthusiasm and players are being made accountable.

“Even though we’ve only had eight or 10 ­sessions there is a good feeling about it so far.”

Williams said the club’s new signings would complement the existing squad members, which include Newcastle representative Mitch Cullen, versatile utility Ben Wyborn, forward Damien Walters and skipper Daniel Abraham. 

The coach said Abraham, an NRL premiership winner with the Newcastle Knights in 2001, was “training hard” after undergoing surgery for an ongoing shoulder injury mid-last season.

However, rumours about another former Knights player and Kurri Kurri grand finalist Reegan Tanner coming back to play were squashed by Williams.

“No way in the world,’ Williams said.

“He has been to a couple of sessions before Christmas and I wouldn’t say no if he did want to play, but he’s not coming back.” 

Departures for the Bulldogs this season include NSW Country prop Brendan Worth (not playing), Byron Warren (Nyngan) and Hayden Jeans (Lakes).

Blake Birch remains an uncertain starter pending work commitments.

Training continue each Tuesday and Friday evenings with an additional session held for shift workers on a Wednesday morning.

Trial matches against Cessnock (March 7), The Entrance (March 21) and Dubbo (March 28) have been set down for March and will test the Bulldogs strength.

“We are playing last year’s Newcastle grand finalists, the NSW Jim Beam Cup winners and the Group 11 grand finalists all within a month,” Williams said.

“We’ll have a good idea of where we sit after those trials.”

The Bulldogs open the season proper away at Townson Oval against South Newcastle on April 11 before returning home a week later to host Lakes. 

In other rugby league news, 2013 Kurri grand finalist Nathan Ross has been named in the Newcastle Knights 18-man squad for next week’s Auckland Nines.

Ross was named alongside another former Bulldogs player in Robbie Rochow and the Knights are set to play Parramatta, Manly and St George Illawarra at the Eden Park tournament.