Western Bulldogs star Brian Lake admits his relationship with former coach Rodney Eade was strained at times during the 2011 AFL season.

But Lake holds no grudge against Eade, who was sacked before the end of the season and is now part of Collingwood’s coaching staff.

The Bulldogs missed the finals while two-time All-Australian full back Lake played only five games because of various injuries.

“It has been a very tough time with getting my body right,” Lake told reporters on Thursday.

“A change of coach and the year we had last year was a very tough one.

“Everything possible that could go wrong, did.

“From the off-season in having three surgeries (hip, shoulder and knee before the 2011 season) and developing O-P (osteitis pubis) in pre-season, it just wasn’t ideal.

“It was always an uphill battle last year.

“It was just frustrating that I couldn’t get out there and the body kept letting me down.

“The pressures around the club last year was tough as well – it didn’t help the situation.

“We (Eade and Lake) were fine. Last year, your friendships do get a little bit fragile and strained because of the environment that we’re in.

“The pressures on ‘Rocket’ (Eade) and myself were very high and it was a very tense place around here last year.

“The relationship’s fine.

“You could say maybe in previous years he used to ride me a little bit but that was to get the best out of myself.

“Last year, he still did the same. It probably didn’t work as much as in previous years.”

Lake says he’s on track to play half a game in Sunday’s round two pre-season NAB Cup clash with Carlton.

The 30-year-old brushed aside questions over his early departure from the training track at a wet Whitten Oval on Thursday morning.

“It was a very hard training session today with the weather,” Lake said.

“Playing this weekend, my (training) load is being managed so I came in early.”

Lake says Brownlow Medallist midfielder Adam Cooney is also set to play on Sunday.