Pre-season is officially underway for Essendon's first-to-fourth-year players.

Completing a skills session at The Hangar on Monday, the youngsters returned in strong shape and high spirits as the countdown to round one sits at 130 days.

They were also joined by experienced teammates Adam Saad, Cale Hooker and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who returned early to get a head-start on pre-season.

Recruits Andrew Phillips (Carlton) and Tom Cutler (Brisbane) were full of energy in their new colours, joined by fellow newcomers Blake Caracella (assistant coach) and Sean Murphy (strength and conditioning coach).

Below are the best images from the session.


Senior assistant coach Ben Rutten and new assistant coach Blake Caracella are re-united. Caracella, a premiership player with the Bombers in 2000, coached alongside Rutten at Richmond before returning to Essendon. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Cale Hooker makes an early return to training as Irish rookie recruit Ross McQuillan watches intently. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, who has also started pre-season early, gives some encouragement to Aaron Francis. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Ben Rutten addresses the group. The senior assistant coach is at the start of a 12-month transition to the senior coaching role. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Ruckman Andrew Phillips, who crossed over to Essendon from Carlton during the trade period, makes himself heard. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Aaron Francis takes off for his fifth pre-season in the red and black. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Andrew McGrath is looking the goods as he embarks on his fourth pre-season. The rising midfielder didn't miss a game of the 2019 season. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Emerging tall Brandon Zerk-Thatcher assesses his options. (Photo: Essendon FC)


A leaner Josh Begley gets to work at the start of his fourth pre-season. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Blake Caracella is all smiles at his homecoming. The long sleeves suit him just fine, too. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Dylan Clarke begins his fourth pre-season, having impressed in 2019 with 11 senior games. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Brayden Ham is all smiles as the second-year Bomber begins his first full pre-season. (Photo: Essendon FC)


New Bomber Tom Cutler and senior coach John Worsfold seem to be getting along in their first session together. (Photo: Essendon FC)


The pacy Tom Cutler streams through the middle. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Matt Guelfi and Irving Mosquito warm up with a handballing drill. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Kyle Langford on the move. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Emerging ruckman Sam Draper is restricted to light duties as he continues his comeback from a knee reconstruction. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Having arrived as a mid-season recruit in 2019, this pre-season marks Will Snelling's first as a Bomber. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Adam Saad catches up with John Worsfold during his early return to pre-season. (Photo: Essendon FC)


Young midfielder Kobe Mutch begins pre-season unrestricted, having had his fair share of injury setbacks during the 2019 season. (Photo: Essendon FC)


New strength and conditioning coach Sean Murphy calls the shots during his first day with the players. Murphy joined the Bombers in October after seven years at Hawthorn. (Photo: Essendon FC)