ADELAIDE

Pre-season so far: Training sessions have had an intensity that only the arrival of a new coach can bring. Phil Walsh has been incredibly vocal during sessions, letting it be known exactly what he wants and expects. With the club yet to iron out its tackling issues, the skill has proved an early emphasis, but Walsh's main focus has been on maintaining training benchmarks. 'Elite standards' has become somewhat of a catchphrase early in his tenure as coach as he tries to instill a work ethic in the playing group that reflects his own. Usual suspects Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield have led the way, as has Taylor Walker and Brad Crouch. Sam Kerridge's aerobic capacity has also been on full show.

Training return: January 5

Community Camp: Port Lincoln, March 2-3

NAB Challenge games: Game one, v North Melbourne, Centenary Oval, Port Lincoln, Sunday, March 1, 4.10pm

Game two, v Geelong, Simonds Stadium, Geelong, Thursday, March 12, 7.10pm

Game three, v Port Adelaide, AAMI Stadium, Adelaide, Saturday, March 21, 3.40pm)

Round one: v North Melbourne, Adelaide Oval, April 5, 2.50pm - Harry Thring



BRISBANE LIONS

Pre-season so far: Almost the perfect pre-season to date as Justin Leppitsch integrates 13 new faces into his team. Daniel Rich (knee), Jack Redden (ankle), Matthew Leuenberger (knee) and Brent Staker (calf) have all trained strongly after missing much of 2014, while off-season recruits Dayne Beams, Allen Christensen and Mitch Robinson have not missed a beat. The only hiccup has been a hamstring injury to young defender Justin Clarke who will return in late January. The Lions bypassed a pre-season training camp to Arizona (they took the entire team last year), in preference to a team-building four-day camp at Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

Training return: January 5

Community Camp: Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore to Maryborough/Gympie), February 10-11

NAB Challenge games: Game one v St Kilda, Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, Burpengary, Saturday, February 28, 3.10pm

Game two v Sydney Swans, C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, Friday, March 6, 7.10pm

Game three v Gold Coast, Metricon Stadium, Friday, March 20, 7.40pm.

Round one: v Collingwood, Gabba, Saturday, April 4, 6.20pm - Michael Whiting

What's your club's possible round one line-up?



CARLTON

Pre-season so far: This pre-season has contrasted starkly with the Blues' preparation for last season. For a start, there are very few injuries to report This pre-season has contrasted starkly with the Blues' preparation for last season. For a start, there are very few injuries to report – Kristian Jaksch (foot) could be training in January while Cameron Giles (foot) will take longer – which is a dramatic improvement on last year when almost half the list underwent post-season surgery. And due to the football department cap the Blues decided against doing altitude training in Arizona for a third successive year, and will instead slog it out at Mt Buller, in Victoria's alpine region, in late January. Rob Wiley, Carlton's director of development and coaching, said the Blues have focused on refining their game plan and improving their ball use, defensive mechanisms and endurance, with an emphasis on game-related drills. Wiley said the leaders have been setting the standard, with veteran Chris Judd in the Blues' top-three before leaving for an overseas holiday. Others to impress include Lachie Henderson, Levi Casboult and Tom Bell, while youngsters Troy Menzel and Patrick Cripps are well advanced on last year.

Training return: January 6

Community Camp: Shepparton, February 17-18

NAB Challenge games: Game one, v West Coast, Rushton Park, Mandurah, Friday, February 27, 4.10pm WST

Game two, v Collingwood, Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo, Sunday March 15, 4:40pm

Game three, v Geelong, Etihad Stadium, Sunday March 22, 4:10pm

Round one: v Richmond, MCG, Thursday April 2, 7.20pm - Ben Collins

COLLINGWOOD

Pre-season so far: After last year's horror run with injury, the Magpies have been careful to manage their players this pre-season. A number of players, coming back from long-term injuries, are on restricted programs, including Brent Macaffer (knee), Matt Scharenberg (knee), Dane Swan (hip), Scott Pendlebury (shoulder) and Jonathan Marsh (hamstring). The curious tale of Ben Reid continues to baffle, After last year's horror run with injury, the Magpies have been careful to manage their players this pre-season. A number of players, coming back from long-term injuries, are on restricted programs, including Brent Macaffer (knee), Matt Scharenberg (knee), Dane Swan (hip), Scott Pendlebury (shoulder) and Jonathan Marsh (hamstring). The curious tale of Ben Reid continues to baffle, after he injured his "good" calf at training last Monday . The injury is set to sideline him for up to six weeks. First-round draft pick Jordan De Goey has impressed with his competitiveness, while former Cat Travis Varcoe looks slick on the track. The Magpies' first-to-fourth-year players had a gruelling pre-season camp in early November, while the whole squad will head to Queenstown in late January. Training return: January 5 Community Camp: Bendigo/North Central (March 16-17) NAB Challenge games: Game one, v Hawthorn, Aurora Stadium, Thursday, February 26, 7.10pm (EDT)

Game two v Carlton, Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo, Sunday March 15, 4.40pm (EDT)

Game three v Western Bulldogs, Etihad Stadium, Sunday March 21, 7.10pm (EDT) Round one: v Brisbane Lions, The Gabba, April 4, 6.20pm - Ben Guthrie

Collingwood players go for a run on the club's Falls Creek camp in November. Picture: AFL Media





ESSENDON

Pre-season so far: The Bombers have cut back on their overseas high-altitude training camps to have a "meat and potatoes" pre-season, as returning coach James Hird described it. Just four players (captain Jobe Watson, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley and Michael Hibberd) were sent to Boulder, Colorado for a burst of high-altitude training. Injury-wise the club avoided too many off-season surgeries, and Tom Bellchambers has made steady progress after a second operation on his troublesome ankle. They'll need the ruckman firing next season after the departure of Paddy Ryder to Port Adelaide.

Training return: January 5

Community Camp: Sunbury, Riddell, Macedon Ranges – February 9-10

NAB Challenge games: Game one v St Kilda, Morwell Recreation Reserve, Morwell, Saturday, March 7, 4.40pm

Game two v GWS Giants, Spotless Stadium, Friday, March 13, 7.10pm

Game three v Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, Friday, March 20, 5.50pm

Round one: v Sydney Swans, ANZ Stadium, Saturday, April 4, 4.35pm - Callum Twomey

FREMANTLE

Pre-season so far: Ross Lyon promised a demanding pre-season and that’s exactly what he’s delivered so far. The Dockers have trained hard since the full squad returned on December 1 but the players prepared themselves well during the off-season. They have incorporated more football work into the early part of pre-season in conjunction with the running. Tendai Mzungu and Matt de Boer dominated the 3km time trial and veterans Matthew Pavlich, Luke McPharlin and Aaron Sandilands have returned in good shape. Ross Lyon promised a demanding pre-season and that’s exactly what he’s delivered so far. The Dockers have trained hard since the full squad returned on December 1 but the players prepared themselves well during the off-season. They have incorporated more football work into the early part of pre-season in conjunction with the running. Tendai Mzungu and Matt de Boer dominated the 3km time trial and veterans Matthew Pavlich, Luke McPharlin and Aaron Sandilands have returned in good shape. Nat Fyfe suffered a shoulder injury ahead of November’s International Rules Series but he will be in full training after Christmas. Garrick Ibbotson is close to a full return from shoulder surgery. Michael Johnson (back), Zac Clarke (knee), Max Duffy (shoulder), Anthony Morabito (knee) and Colin Sylvia (ankle) are still on restricted duties but all are progressing well. Training return: January 5 Community Camp: Geraldton and Mortlock, February 18-19 NAB Challenge games: Game one, v Melbourne, Fremantle Oval, Perth, Thursday, March 5, 4.10pm. Game two, v Sydney Swans, Drummoyne Oval, Sydney, Sunday, March 15, 4.10pm. Game three, v West Coast, Patersons Stadium, Perth, Sunday, March 22, 4.10pm. Round one: v Port Adelaide, Patersons Stadium, Sunday April 5, 2.40pm. - Alex Malcolm

GEELONG

Pre-season so far: Unlike previous seasons, the Cats have decided to stay local for their pre-season. Under newly appointed strength and conditioning coach Scott Murphy, who worked in a similar role when in charge of the Australian Wallabies, Geelong is focusing on more long-distance based running this summer. The Cats identified a lack of fitness for their late-game lapses in 2014 and are attempting to get as many kilometres into the players' legs as possible. Unlike previous seasons, the Cats have decided to stay local for their pre-season. Under newly appointed strength and conditioning coach Scott Murphy, who worked in a similar role when in charge of the Australian Wallabies, Geelong is focusing on more long-distance based running this summer. The Cats identified a lack of fitness for their late-game lapses in 2014 and are attempting to get as many kilometres into the players' legs as possible. The kidney injury to Jackson Thurlow , whose return date remains unclear, is a blow considering the smooth-moving wingman probably commands a place in Geelong's best 22. Training return: January 5 Community Camp: Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, Mininera Mortlake (February 23-24) NAB Challenge games: Game one, v Gold Coast, Tony Ireland Stadium, Townsville, Sunday, March 1, 3.40pm (EST)

Game two, v Adelaide, Simonds Stadium, Thursday March 12, 7.10pm (EDT) Game three, v Carlton, Etihad Stadium, Sunday March 22, 4.10pm (EDT) Round one: v Hawthorn, MCG, April 6, 3.20pm - Ben Guthrie

GOLD COAST

Pre-season so far: Rodney Eade has had a tricky initiation as Suns coach, with a number of his star players having already missed some work. Gary Ablett (shoulder) should resume contact work early in the new year, while big men Zac Smith, Charlie Dixon and Tom Nicholls still recover from various ailments. Jaeger O'Meara (knees) is still recovering from surgery and racing the clock for round one, while Dion Prestia (hamstring) and Harley Bennell (calf) overcame minor setbacks. After three years of pre-season altitude camps in Arizona, the Suns have stayed on the Gold Coast so Eade can bed down his gameplan. With most players now fit enough and strong enough to handle the rigours of an AFL season, there has been a greater emphasis on using footballs this pre-season, as Eade tries to sharpen the Suns' skills. Training return: January 7 Community Camp: Townsville, Mackay, Byron Bay, March 2-3 NAB Challenge games: Game one, v Geelong, Tony Ireland Sadium, Townsville, Sunday, March 1, 3.40pm Game two, v GWS Giants, Blacktown, Saturday, March 7, 4.10pm Game three, v Brisbane Lions, Metricon Stadium, Friday, March 20, 7.40pm. Round one: v Melbourne, MCG, Saturday, April 4, 1.40pm - Michael Whiting

GWS

Pre-season so far: and a big pre-season program is crucial in those plans. With key forward Jon Patton and tall defender Tim Mohr in rehab from knee reconstructions, it would have pleased coach Leon Cameron to see big man Adam Tomlinson win the 3km time trial for first-to-fourth year players on day one of pre-season. Midfielder Josh Kelly and small defender Tomas Bugg rounded out the podium. Liam Sumner (navicular stress fracture) and James Stewart (glandular fever) have suffered setbacks, but most of the squad trained to exhaustion at the club's gruelling pre-Christmas camp at Noosa. The ambitious Giants have made no secret of their desire to push for finals if not next year, then 2016, and a big pre-season program is crucial in those plans. With key forward Jon Patton and tall defender Tim Mohr in rehab from knee reconstructions, it would have pleased coach Leon Cameron to see big man Adam Tomlinson win the 3km time trial for first-to-fourth year players on day one of pre-season. Midfielder Josh Kelly and small defender Tomas Bugg rounded out the podium. Liam Sumner (navicular stress fracture) and James Stewart (glandular fever) have suffered setbacks, but most of the squad trained to exhaustion at the club's gruelling pre-Christmas camp at Noosa.

Training return: January 5

Community Camp: Canberra and southern New South Wales, February 17-18.

NAB Challenge games: Game one, v Gold Coast, Blacktown, Saturday, March 7, 4.10pm.

Game two, v Essendon, Spotless Stadium, Friday, March 13, 7.10pm.

Game three, v Sydney Swans, Startrack Oval, Sunday, March 22, 1.10pm.

Round one: v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, Sunday, April 5, 1.10pm. – Travis King

HAWTHORN

Pre-season so far: The premiership celebrations faded into memory once the Hawks' full squad returned to training on December 1. Several stars – including best and fairest Jordan Lewis and Isaac Smith - came back early to train with the younger brigade as recruits James Frawley and The premiership celebrations faded into memory once the Hawks' full squad returned to training on December 1. Several stars – including best and fairest Jordan Lewis and Isaac Smith - came back early to train with the younger brigade as recruits James Frawley and Jonathan O'Rourke settled into the new surroundings. Smith, Billy Hartung and Ben McEvoy resumed in outstanding nick and claimed the podium places in the 2km time trial, while spirits have been lifted by Jed Anderson and Brendan Whitecross taking positive steps in their injury rehabilitation. The Hawks earned their Christmas break during a brutal eight-day camp on the Sunshine Coast in mid-December.

Training return: Early January (estimate)

Community Camp: Tasmania, February 27-March 1.

NAB Challenge games: Game one, v Collingwood, Aurora Stadium, Launceston, Thursday, February 26, 7.10pm.

Game two, v North Melbourne, Shepparton, Sunday, March 8, 4.10pm.

Game three, v St Kilda, Etihad Stadium, Thursday, March 19, 7.10pm.

Round one: v Geelong, MCG, Monday, April 6, 3.20pm. – Travis King

Ex-Demon James Frawley has begun his life as a Hawk in strong training form. Picture: Getty Images





MELBOURNE

Pre-season so far: Began training informally before other clubs and then stepped it up pre-Christmas with some serious running drills preceding skill sessions. Wise heads rated a late November running session as the club's hardest session ever. Jesse Hogan was working hard and Jimmy Toumpas is making every effort to justify his high draft selection, while Jack Trengove and Jack Watts were the biggest names on a tiny rehabilitation group. The players also undertook a form of the Paleo diet in an attempt to improve player energy levels. With very little dead wood on the list now, the Demons heads to the Sunshine Coast and Casey to continue training in January because soccer's Asian Cup is being played at AAMI Park. Training return: January 5 Community Camp: Leongatha/Wonthaggi February 11/12 NAB Challenge games: Game one v Fremantle, Fremantle Oval, Thursday March 5, 4.10pm WST Game two v Western Bulldogs, Eureka Stadium, Ballarat, Saturday March 14, 4.10pm EDT Game three v Essendon, Etihad Stadium, Friday March 20, 5.50pm EDT. Round one: v Gold Coast, MCG, Saturday April 4, 1.40pm - Peter Ryan



NORTH MELBOURNE

Pre-season so far: The Roos scaled back their annual Utah training camp this year, with just 13 players making the trip to train at high altitude for two weeks in November. The group consisted mainly of North's younger players, but skipper Andrew Swallow, Daniel Wells and Jack Ziebell also went, all keen to make an early start to the pre-season after their injury-interrupted 2014 seasons. The rest of North's group remained at home and started their pre-season later than usual, given the club's preliminary final appearance this year. The Roos hit the ground running, incorporating much of their conditioning work into lung-busting skills sessions. Sam Gibson, Ryan Bastinac and Mason Wood were again the Roos' best performers in the club's opening 2km time trial last week, while former Western Bulldog Shaun Higgins and second-year midfielder Trent Dumont have impressed with their fitness. Key forwards Drew Petrie (ankle), Ben Brown (knee) and Robbie Tarrant (tibia) are not expected to return to full training until after Christmas, while defender Lachlan Hansen (hip) is eyeing a return in mid to late January. Ziebell and Aaron Black both had post-season shoulder surgery, but have been able to do all of the distance and repetition running.

Training return: January 5

Community Camp: Hobart and Werribee, February 19-20

NAB Challenge games: Game one v Adelaide, Centenary Oval, Port Lincoln, Sunday, March 1, 4.10pm ACDT Game two v Hawthorn, Deakin Reserve, Shepparton, Sunday, March 8, 4.10pm AEDT

Game three v Richmond, Etihad Stadium, Saturday, March 21, 1.10pm AEDT

Round one: v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval, April 5, 2.50pm - Nick Bowen