Essendon’s build up to season 2005 is under way with the majority of the playing list commencing pre-season training today. The players are put under the microscope this week with body fat levels, weight and sprint testing all major components of their training. But it is the Bombers’ world-first agility testing that has had tongues wagging.

Essendon is the first sporting club in the world to take delivery of and utilise the Smart Speed technology. The technology sees players surrounded by four gates, each with a light that randomly turns on. The players run through the gate whose light is on. It automatically turns off and a subsequent gate lights up.

""It is about improving the players’ reactionary time and this technology operates on both visual and auditory stimulation,"" Essendon fitness coach John Quinn said. ""The Chelsea Soccer Club and the New Zealand All Blacks are the only two other sporting clubs in the world that have ordered this technology and are just about to take delivery as well.""

A number of the Bomber youngsters were put through their paces on the new equipment today with Jobe Watson and Jason Winderlich the stars.

Tomorrow morning will see the players partake in a 3.2km time trial around Optus Oval. The full squad will be back training next Monday.