ADELAIDE draftees Ned McHenry and Chayce Jones have hit the ground running in the new year with strong performances in the Crows' 2km time trial on Thursday morning.

McHenry showcased his elite running capacity to finish in a dead-heat for first with speedster Wayne Milera, with Jones hot on their heels in third.

RUNNING MAN The draftee who goes for casual 30km runs

Defender Jake Kelly, winger Rory Atkins and ruckman Reilly O'Brien were the next three across the line.

It was the first official time trial for McHenry and Jones, who were chosen with the 16th and ninth picks respectively in last year's NAB AFL Draft.

NAB AFL DRAFT HUB Latest news, video and more

"The majority of the players met their targets, and it puts us in a wonderful position returning from the Christmas period," Crows general manager of high performance Matt Hass told afc.com.au.

"As first-year players, it's a great way for Ned and Chayce to start their careers and it puts them in the frame for playing AFL football early."

The Crows were put through a tough session on their first day back after the Christmas break.

Following the time trial was a one-hour skills-based session at Thebarton Oval, topped off with several rounds of brutal interval running along the boundary line.

"I'm cooked, mate, the last bit of the pudding's just worn off then," veteran Richard Douglas told reporters.

CLUB LISTS COMPARED Oldest? Youngest? Most experienced?

"The boys have come back in fantastic nick and it was another good session out here.

"We had a pretty strong focus to maintain our fitness over the break and the boys have come back super fit and run some pretty impressive times, which is great.

"We've got a lot more guys running better times than ever before.

"I know when I first came to the club (in 2006), I was probably in the top six for aerobic fitness and now I'm middle of the pack, so that says a lot about our program and how much work we put in.

"The majority of the group ran really well and that will hold us in good stead for round one."

Key defender Daniel Talia didn't train as he continues his recovery from surgery to his left knee in early December.

Talia is expected to play some part in the JLT Series.

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Fellow backman Kyle Hartigan got through a lot of running, including several sprints, building back up from surgery on both knees.

Midfielder Hugh Greenwood completed the time trial before running laps away from the main group as he progresses from an abdominal tendon injury.

Forward Riley Knight didn't train due to inflamed tissue near his Achilles, but will return to training next week.

A minor toe injury forced midfielder Myles Poholke to miss the session, while forward Ben Davis didn't train due to illness.

Half-back flanker Andrew McPherson ran laps as he continues to be eased back from a groin injury.

Brad Crouch, who missed all of last season with groin soreness, was impressive as he completed the whole session, while skipper Taylor Walker looks to have shed a couple of kilograms after an injury-affected season last year.