A squad of just 16 senior players were put through a light night on the training track by coach Kevin Sheedy tonight.

A number of players who were sore after Friday night's match against the western Bulldogs were given the night off in preparation for this weekend's match against Collingwood.

Those who didn't train included captain James Hird, vice-captain Mark Mercuri, Jason Johnson and rookie Adam Ramanauskas.

Hird is still battling to overcome tendonitis in his buttock and will be tested later this week.

Essendon players have just completed an intense seven-week period through the latter half of the season.

Training will lighten off for the next couple of weeks as the players taper off for the impending finals' series.