Essendon players returned to the training track on Monday following a two-week break across the Christmas/New Year period.

The entire playing group was put through their paces as they returned to the True Value Solar Centre to take part in a skills session under cloudy skies.

It is the first time the group has trained as a whole since 25 senior players returned from a high altitude camp to Boulder, Colorado.

Brendon Goddard continued to ramp up his rehabilitation from a calf complaint and looked to be running with relative freedom.

The group took part in a number of different match simulation scenarios as the training continues to ramp ahead of the 2014 NAB Challenge competition.

The Bombers kick off their pre-season campaign in just 42 days time against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on February 17.

They will then take on Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on February 25 before playing against Richmond on March 7 at a venue still to be confirmed.

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