With the inaugural AFLX series only a few weeks away, training has started to include a focus around the new and exciting game format.

Essendon will take on Hawthorn and St Kilda on Friday 16^th February at Etihad Stadium, with the team to finish on the most wins to play either Carlton, Melbourne or North Melbourne in the Grand Final.

Game Performance Coach, Mark Neeld, said the group was embracing the series which will further complement pre-season training.

“It is certainly a high speed, high intensity, high running and high scoring game that the fans are going to love,” Neeld said.

“For those Bomber fans that watch us play, one of our strengths is movement of the ball and we want to be known as a really high scoring team so it suits us."

“Early on with the adjustment to a few of the rules it caught a few of them by surprise."

“We believe it’s a really good thing to be doing over the pre-season and is a great lead in for round 1 against the Crows.”

“It certainly is fantastic for the players conditioning and it’s also terrific to work on their skill level.

“We see it as a natural progression. A lot of clubs will practice the in-tight close game but it’s really just an extended field which widens to allow you to get some kicking in so it’s a great extension to what we normally do anyway.

“Like everything we will go back and the players will have a look at it and there will be something things they want to keep in the game and a few things they want to adjust.”

Essendon veteran Brendon Goddard, said he expects fans to enjoy the fast paced nature of the game which really pushes player’s limits.

“It’s pretty taxing to be honest but I think from the spectator’s point of view it’s going to be pretty good,” Goddard said.

“It’s high scoring, high intensity and very continuous with the last touch rule and kick straight back in after a score and all that kind of thing. 

“It’s an interesting concept and it is hard, particularly at the end of the session like we have been doing.

“As a concept it reaches a new audience and that’s great for the AFL.”

Don’t miss your chance to be part of history and attend AFLX as the Bombers take on Hawthorn and St Kilda.

MATCH ORDER AND TIMES (EDT)

Friday 16^th February, Etihad Stadium

6.40pm – Carlton v Melbourne
7.08pm – Hawthorn v Essendon
7.36pm – North Melbourne v Carlton 
8.04pm – Essendon v St Kilda
8.32pm – Melbourne v North Melbourne 
9.00pm – St Kilda v Hawthorn 
9.33pm – Grand Final