Essendon defender Ariel Steinberg has come from the shadows to win a mini triathlon held by the Bombers on Saturday morning, underlining his determination to break into the team this year.
With midfielder Dyson Heppell and forward Patrick Ambrose tipped by teammates to win the event, Steinberg left them in his wake at Williamstown Beach.
The Bombers completed a 400m swim followed by a 10km bike ride and 1.5km run, with Steinberg crossing the line ahead of Heppell and Ambrose in just over 24 minutes.
The majority of the squad took part in the race, but forwards Joe Daniher and Jake Carlisle were absent and a number of players, including ruckman Tom Bellchambers and veteran Paul Chapman, were held out of certain legs.
"Ariel's been really good the last few years and he's been training the house down this pre-season, so it's a credit to him to take it out today," defender Cale Hooker said.
"He's put a lot of hard work in and it's paying off for him … it's good to see him representing the backline so well.
"I don't think triathlons are for me, but the boys pumped it out.
"Today was just a circuit breaker, doing something a little bit different and getting the competitive juices flowing."
Steinberg has spent three seasons on the Bombers' rookie list, making his debut against West Coast in round 21 last year and holding his place for the elimination final loss to North Melbourne, for a total of three career games.
One of the standouts at Essendon this summer, the 22-year-old could be used at either end of the ground if given an opportunity in 2015.
To prepare for Saturday's race, the Bombers were briefed on Friday by elite triathlete Leon Griffin, who shared his tips on training standards.
Hooker said the players would take those lessons into the new season as they look to build on their seventh-place finish in 2014.
"It was really good for the boys to hear about those training standards," he said.
"I don't know if it helped us today but hopefully it helps us during the season.
"The boys have got a really good fitness base over the last two years, and the young guys are really pushing up and pushing the senior guys.
"I think we're as fit as ever and really excited for the season ahead."
Coach James Hird was an interested onlooker on Saturday morning, and Hooker said the coach's return had been smooth.
With former Fremantle coach Mark Harvey also returning to the club, Hooker said the Bombers were benefiting from fresh ideas this pre-season.
"[They] have come into the group and added a few new things to the game plan," the defender said.
"We'll see that throughout the year and it's really exciting for the group.
"There's a few things, like our consistency within games, that he's tinkering with and the group is working on."
