BANNED Essendon players have commenced a training program under the guidance of former premiership player Sean Wellman and fitness guru David Buttifant.

Seven suspended Dons, as well as Dogs forward Stewart Crameri, were put through their paces by the pair at St Bernard’s College on Monday morning.

The eight players involved in Monday’s session were former captain Jobe Watson, as well as Dyson Heppell, Crameri, Cale Hooker, Tom Bellchambers, Brent Stanton, Heath Hocking and Ben Howlett.

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Round 18

Fitness guru David Buttifant called the shots during running drills. Source: FOX SPORTS

But surprisingly, it was Buttifant calling the shots during training after colleague and close friend Mick Malthouse was knocked back to oversee the program.

Malthouse had initially offered to provide a structured training regime for the players alongside Buttifant, but was turned down by the small group last week.

Malthouse and Buttifant had worked together for nearly 13 years at Collingwood, with the sport science director then joining Malthouse when he defected to Carlton in 2013.

The group took part in intense running drills at the start of the session then eased into ball skills under the eyes of Wellman and Buttifant.

Former Essendon skipper Jobe Watson trained. Source: FOX SPORTS

Eight players trained on Monday morning. Source: FOX SPORTS

The players took part in mainly running drills before some skill drills. Source: FOX SPORTS

The players trained at St Bernard’s College. Source: FOX SPORTS