An injury-free Dylan Shiel says he’s ready to rip into his first pre-season as a Bomber, beginning on Monday.

The former Giants star, who joined Essendon in October’s trade period, revealed his body hadn’t been in better condition ahead of his eighth AFL pre-season.

“I’m ready to go. It’s the first time ever going into a pre-season injury-free and without surgery,” Shiel told SEN 1116.

In a testament to his durability in recent seasons, the 25-year-old has missed just two games since the opening round of 2016.

To put it in numbers, that was 73 out of a possible 75 matches where the prime mover did what he does best in the Giants’ engine room. 

Shiel said experience had served him well since arriving on the AFL scene as a fresh-faced teenager in 2011.

“I was pretty unlucky my first few years (injury-wise),” he said.

“I’ve got a bit bigger, older, stronger and more resilient. Bodies take time to adjust to the hard demands (of AFL).”

While the second-to-fourth-year Bombers – plus a sprinkling of senior players – began pre-season this week, Monday will mark the first session for Essendon’s entire squad.

GALLERY: Young Bombers begin pre-season

Having already been spotted in Andrew McGrath’s No.1 guernsey for a photo opportunity at The Hangar, Shiel said his young teammate had no need to worry ahead of their first day on the track together. 

“I haven’t (requested the No.1). I wouldn’t do that,” he laughed.

“I’d be whacked for six if I put in that request. He’s (McGrath) a jewel at the Bombers.”