Essendon players sweated through their toughest session of the pre-season this morning at the True Value Solar Centre.

As temperatures soared above 40 degrees, the playing group took part in a two hour long match simulation session of the highest intensity.

Midfielder Heath Hocking said the session was probably the hardest he had ever taken part in.

“It was a really good work out in tough conditions and we knew this was probably the toughest conditions we were going to have to work in,” Hocking said.

“We knew the conditions would be tough and we would have to work hard but that last bit we just couldn’t get what we wanted out of the drills so we kept going till we did.

Hocking said the hard work on the training track would have long-term benefits for the group.

“We just knew that if we worked hard now, we will hopefully see the benefits at a later date.”

“We didn’t change much this week but we just had more of an emphasis on hydration, and getting cool towels out there to cool our body temperatures down.”

“It was a challenge to work harder and get more out of ourselves because we probably won’t have another block of weather like this.”

Assistant coach Matthew Egan said the players had reacted well to the extreme conditions they faced.

“Today was a match simulation type day, we did as much match practice and put them in scenarios that they face during the year,” Egan said.

“They did it under a lot of fatigue today in extreme heat but I thought the guys coped really well.

“Sometimes you have to play in the heat so you have to train in it and that’s just the way it is.

“You have to put them under pressure and we hopefully will get a lot out of it.”

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