Bulldogs skipper Andrew Ryan is physically and mentally ready for the 2009 NRL season after laying to rest the demons of 2008.

No other player in the game had more reason than Ryan to enjoy a long off-season last year.

He lost his NSW and Australian jumpers, led his side to a wooden spoon and weathered an array of off-field controversies that engulfed the club.

Despite his troubles, the respected captain maintained impeccable leadership and was the only Bulldog not to miss a game, playing all but 29 minutes of football for the entire season.

A humble and media-shy character, Ryan admits 2008 took its toll but he is excited about the challenges ahead in 2009.

With a new coach and a kennel of strong recruits, Saturday's trial match with St George Illawarra in Wollongong marks the start of a new era for the "family club".

"I had about six weeks of just nothing and it was good to just get away from it all for a bit," said Ryan.

"I'm ready to go back and am ready to play again.

"It doesn't matter how you go, it's a long season playing in the NRL and I always need at least six weeks off every year just to do nothing.

"It was a very frustrating year last year, it wouldn't have mattered if we came first I still would have taken six weeks off."

The positive side effect to Ryan's forgettable 2008 was that for the first time he can remember, there was no off-season surgery or end of year Test matches and tours.

Instead, Ryan was able to take his holidays and report back for duty on the first day of pre-season training instead of waiting until the new year.

A revised training program, which takes into account his 30 years of age and nine years of first grade football, has ensured "Bobcat" is ready to dig in for another long year ahead.

"I've come in pretty fresh this year. No operations and a full pre-season under my belt, so I am feeling pretty good at the moment," he said.

Ryan admits he is anxious about Saturday's clash with the Dragons, eager to see how the team gels with recruits Brett Kimmorley, Michael Ennis, Ben Hannant and David Stagg among the key personnel changes.

With the Dragons coming off a 48-point thumping of the Roosters last week, Ryan is quick to point out that fans shouldn't read too much into the result.

"It is only the first trial and we know the Dragons have already played a game, so we're not too worried about the end result," he said.

"As long as everyone goes out, rips in and has a crack."

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