With around 40 players on the list, the football locker room is rarely a quiet place.

But for a brief time, Michael Hurley was able to pause for a moment’s reflection.

“I caught myself sitting in the locker room the other day just taking it all in, just enjoying being around the guys again, you sort of miss that – the locker room environment and just having a laugh with the boys – so it’s nice to be back,” he said.

Hurley and his nine returning teammates started their pre-season alongside the Club’s younger players and on Monday were joined by the rest of the playing group.

The All-Australian defender kept up his fitness throughout the year, but the lack of numbers on the training track made it difficult to replicate the sessions he’s used to.

“Throughout the year we did a fair bit of training, predominantly just running, because it was hard to emulate those ‘skill’ drills,” he said.

“It’s been nice to get straight back into it and it’s been pretty full-on, so it’s been good.

“It’s been nice to come back into the Club and see the guys again.

“My body has been a bit sore just getting used to the training again, but it’s been fun.

“A few of the younger guys have grown up a fair bit.  Marty Gleeson and Zach Merrett look a bit more like men now with the big shoulders and the muscles so it’s good to see them developing.”

Hurley’s absence in 2016 allowed John Worsfold to trial several key defenders throughout the season.

Now entering 2017 the Bombers Coach has a legion of key defensive options at his disposal.

After graduating from the VFL, former Collingwood rookie Michael Hartley played 19 games in his first season with the Bombers. 

The shift of Patrick Ambrose to defence proved a revelation as his running power and aggression helped curb some of the game’s best forwards.

While Mitch Brown’s ability to read the play helped him cut off many attacking raids particularly late in the season where he took 42 marks in a three week stretch.

“It’s really exciting – we saw last year with Michael Hartley and Paddy Ambrose doing the big jobs on the key forwards,” Hurley said.

“Obviously with myself coming back in, potentially ‘Hooksy’, Mitch Brown as well – the key (defensive) stocks are really strong. 

“Then blokes like ‘Tippa’ (Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti), Marty (Gleeson) and ‘Baggers’ of course – really complement the ‘talls’ so it’s a pretty exciting group down there.”