Another AFL pre-season gets underway

Jack McAnespie
and others
• 3 min read
Gold Coast Suns

A host of AFL teams returned for yet another gruelling pre-season campaign, with first-to-fourth-year players copping a taste of the brutal medicine first-up.

Collingwood, Essendon, St Kilda, Melbourne, Geelong and Carlton were the Victorian clubs to return to the training track, while Port Adelaide, Brisbane, GWS and the Gold Coast made up the interstate contingent getting preparations for season 2016 underway.

Each of these clubs took to social media to document the occasion, with all getting stuck straight into the fun stuff with time trials on the agenda across the country.

The AFL’s veteran five-year and older players are yet to return to the track, and are expected to have a slightly extended break.

Jack Crisp took out the Magpies’ 2km time trial with young teammates Jamie Elliot and Tim Broomhead impressing on day one.

On a hot day in Melbourne, the first-to-fourth-year playing group at Collingwood, which including new signing Adam Treloar, also took part in some light skill work.

New Essendon coach, John Worsfold got a look at his young troops with a light skills session and fitness assessment, with a time-trial set for Tuesday morning.

There was no easing-in period at Port Adelaide, with players sent on a gruelling three-kilometre time-trial that was eventually taken out by former senior player, now rookie-listed midfielder, Kane Mitchell.

High-profile St Kilda recruit Jake Carlisle was all smiles at the beginning of his first session at his new club, and did not take part in the three-kilometre time-trial, but instead completed a ropes session.

Brisbane, Melbourne, Carlton, GWS and the Gold Coast all got underway as well, in what were hot conditions across the country.

Author(s)
Jack McAnespie