The early return to pre-season training of Liam Picken and Tom Liberatore has the Western Bulldogs' crop of exciting young talent inspired, key defender Aaron Naughton says.

The crucial playmaking pair has been notable on the track this week, returning with the first-to-fourth-year players despite not being required on duty until November 19.

Picken failed to play a senior game this season after suffering a heavy concussion in the JLT Community Series in March, while Liberatore ruptured his ACL for the second time in round one of the season proper.

Speaking after training on Friday, Naughton said he and his fellow youngsters were buoyed by having such respected teammates on the track so early into their 2019 preparations.

"Picko and Libba are good characters and bring a lot of energy to the group, so it's really good to have some leadership around us young boys," Naughton told AFL.com.au.

"They seem like quiet blokes, but in the inner sanctum they're quite vocal.

"They both pretty much missed the whole of last season, so to have them back for week one of training is very exciting for us.

"They're both really good players and been around the club for so long. Hopefully I get the opportunity to play alongside them more often, because they bring so much to the team."

Picken, who did some training throughout the year during his recovery from his head knock, looked sharp on the track, while Liberatore showed no signs of his injury as he completed a series of ball and goal-kicking drills.

Fifth-year players Toby McLean, Zaine Cordy, Caleb Daniel and Roarke Smith were not required back at the Club until later in the month, but have also been training strongly.