Essendon midfielder Jake Melksham is excited about the future of the club with his teammates taking ‘big strides’ throughout the 2015 pre-season campaign.

The playing group took part in an intense training session in hot conditions on Monday morning in just their second week back at the club from a Christmas break.

Melksham said the entire playing group was continuing to improve ahead of the first NAB Cup game against St Kilda on March 7.

“It is definitely on the up, every session and every day we are taking leaps and bounds,” Melksham said.

“We are already a lot fitter then we were at this time last year so we are taking big strides but we have a fair bit ahead of us to get to where we want to be.

“With two more months before we play our first NAB Cup game we will just keep pushing towards that.”

The 23-year-old said the competition for spots was heating up with a number of the younger players putting in strong pre-season performances.

“We came back two weeks after the younger guys and they were already running personal best’s which is unheard of since I have been at the club,” Melksham said.

“They have pulled the senior group along and they are really testing us out on the track as well which is good.

“As long as we are a competitive group and we push each other then it will put us in good stead for the season.”

After an up and down 2014 season in which he played 16 matches the midfielder is looking to become more consistent this season.

“The main thing for me is consistency, I need to get on top of that,” he said.

“It is the main key area for the group as well and it comes out in your training and your preparation.

“We are just looking to make sure we tick all the boxes and get ready for a big one.”