Essendon’s players returned to the track this week to resume their fitness testing ahead of the upcoming NAB Cup campaign.

With the pre-season competition just over a month away, high performance manager Dean Robinson said the players had returned to the club in good shape following the Christmas break.

“The playing group came back in a really good state both physically and mentally and as a whole, they have all tested well since returning to the club,” Robinson said.

“Following the break, we noticed they had put on a lot of extra strength which was particularly pleasing to see.

“At this point in time of the pre-season campaign, the players and their physical states are where we want them.”

Robinson praised the fitness levels of captain Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton, saying the duo had returned to the club in impressive form.

“Jobe is looking really good and his endurance levels and his capacity for speed has really increased,” Robinson said.

“Stants (Brent Stanton) has come back looking really fit and is impressing us all with his work rates.

“On a similar note, a number of the smaller guys are getting faster and looking good too, so overall we are quite pleased with where the playing group are at in terms of fitness levels.”

Robinson also highlighted the attitude of the playing group over the course of the pre-season, despite the demanding and gruelling training sessions.

“Everyone is really positive and lapping up the work that we have put to them,” he said.