David Hogan relishing a healthy return to Bendigo Braves for 2018 SEABL season.

THE less said about the Bendigo Braves’ 2017 season the better for David Hogan.

It wasn’t just that the Braves spluttered through a year they missed the playoffs in for only the second time in Ben Harvey’s reign as coach, but the fact Hogan – through no design of his own – was a bit-part player.

A viral infection, which triggered irregularities with his heart, limited Hogan to about a dozen appearances in the blue and yellow.

But that was then and this is now.

Hogan is back healthy, refreshed and re-energised and ready to help restore the Braves as a SEABL force.

The young 28-year-old – known to team-mates and fans as DJ – has by his own admission taken his time getting to his career total of 55 games since debuting in 2012.

Twenty-two of those came in the Braves’ 2016 national championship winning season, which remains the undisputed highlight of his time at Bendigo Stadium.

But ask his coach or any of his team-mates about Hogan and they will tell you his influence goes well beyond anything that appears on a stats sheet.

Harvey lauded Hogan as one of the club’s great characters, who brought a cheekiness and light-heartedness to training and an eagerness to challenge his team-mates, especially those with starting roles.

“DJ has always had limited minutes on court, but on and off the floor he is tremendous,” he said.

“He always gives 100 per cent, he is always committed and whether he is playing two minutes a game or 15 minutes a game, David is always going to be happy to do what is best for the team.”

“Obviously without Indiana Faithfull at point guard right now, Jeremy Kendle and DJ have been sharing the role, so there’s been a lot more ownership for David this pre-season.

“Off the floor he is really great with our younger kids.”

Now into his seventh SEAL season, Hogan will carry extra responsibilities this season, helping assistant coach Michael Gibbins with scouting.

He was thankful to be free of the condition that severely impacted on his health during the Braves disappointing 2017 campaign.

The guard was able to draw comparisons between this year’s squad – boosted by the inlcusions of new import Ray Turner and the return of 2016 league MVP Kendle - and that which captured he club’s first championship since 2006 two years ago.

“You can see it, just the competitiveness at training …. and everyone gets along,” he said.

“Those are the things that have set us apart every time we’ve been really successful off and on the court.

“Now that we have (brother) Chris Hogan and Taylor Bell back, I’m really looking forward to it.

“Even the younger boys – Jake Lloyd, Tanner Rayner, Jack White and Trent Leech, who is training with us at the moment – things are looking up.

“With a lot of hard work and trust in each other, I’m sure we can get back towards a championship.”

That will be no easy feat with several teams appearing to have strengthened themselves in the off-season.

Hogan nominated Kilsyth Cobras, who have signed three NBL development players, as a potential dark horse, while Dandenong Rangers shape as strong contenders, especially if rumours they will sign Boomers squad member and Adelaide 36ers MVP Mitch Creek prove true.

Meanwhile, the Braves will continue their pre-season with a scrimmage against Albury-Wodonga Bandits at noon this Saturday at Bendigo Stadium.

It will be followed by a Lady Braves-Lady Bandits scrimmage at 2pm.