Essendon players finished a grueling pre-Christmas training block on Saturday morning as they embark on a two-week break ahead of 2013.

The team will return to training in early January as preparations ramp up ahead of the opening NAB Cup game against Collingwood on February 15.

Coach James Hird said he was pleased with the way the group had approached training since beginning pre-season training in November.

“The focus of pre-season before Christmas was to build a really solid foundation,” Hird said.

“We went back to some older ways, some more tried and true methods about how to train our players and already we are seeing some great benefits to that.

“The post Christmas period will be all about game simulation, game style and getting them ready for our first NAB Cup game in early February.”

Tayte Pears and Tom Bellchambers have both been pointed out as stands out on the training track so far.

Key forward Michael Hurley has also shedded some weight and is looking very fit midway through the pre-season campaign.