Ricky Dyson has commenced pre-season training – just nine days after he was savagely bashed in Rouse Street, Port Melbourne. The 20-year-old was alone and waiting for a taxi when he was beset upon by a gang at about midnight. The resulting injuries putting him in hospital for three days.

But Dyson was back training this morning, taking part in some of the hill running session at Fawkner Park. He also did some stationary skills work and is expecting to take part in most of tomorrow morning’s skills session at Windy Hill.

""It is just great to be back around the Club and doing pre-season training. I’m feeling much better than I was a week ago – I was really disappointed to miss the first week of training,"" Dyson said.

""It could have been worse I suppose. I was a bit shocked by what happened but I have got a lot of support from my family and people at the club. I just want to put it behind me now and get on with things.

""I will be eased into training this week, but by next week I should be back doing everything. My mouth is still a bit sore. Nothing happened that will affect me in the long-term so that is good.""

Dyson was visited by a number of staff and teammates while in hospital and also took plenty of phone calls. ""I was a bit out of it for a fair bit of the time I was in hospital but I remember a lot of people dropping in to see how I was going,"" Dyson said.

Essendon train at 10am tomorrow morning at Windy Hill.