The new year has officially begun for AFL clubs, who have now all returned to full training.

Many players have stood out on the training track already. Some for their biceps, others for their haircuts.

Check out the latest news and pictures as your club returns to preseason training.



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Round 18

ADELAIDE

After a disappointing 2018 which saw the club finish 12th, the Crows appear to have hit the ground running after the Christmas break.

Draftee Ned McHenry, who was taken with Pick 16 in last year’s draft, has impressed already, finishing equal-first in the club’s 2km time trial on Thursday, while half-back flanker Wayne Milera also looks set to build on his impressive 2018 season after crossing the finish line at the same time.

Reilly O'Brien leading the Adelaide pack. Source: AAP

Meanwhile veteran midfielder Richard Douglas told media on Thursday the Crows had placed a greater emphasis on “fun” this pre-season as the side looks to recapture the form that saw them reach the 2017 Grand Final.

“We’re trying to get the ultimate success and there’s a lot of hard work that goes along the way and you want to enjoy it,” Douglas said.

“We’ve got a real focus this year on trying to bring fun back and enjoy our footy and enjoy the hard work and we’ve certainly been able to do that so far.”

Crows coach Don Pyke addressing his troops. Source: AAP

BRISBANE LIONS

Matty Eagles looking sharp as the Lions enter 2019 with ample optimism.

CARLTON

The Blues have been impressed so far by Pick 1 Sam Walsh’s work on the track, with the highly-touted 18-year-old aiming for a Round 1 debut.

Speaking to media on Monday, Walsh said the prospect of playing his first game at the MCG against the Tigers was driving him in his first pre-season.

“(A Round 1 debut’s) the goal for me and obviously that’s a long way away and there’s things to be ticked off before then but I think that’s the motivation towards training and wanting to get better and then hopefully I’ll reach that goal,” Walsh said.

“I’ve done a lot of my training in the midfield. We haven’t got into much match simulation yet, but I think it will be a mix of inside and outside mid.”

Walsh is set to slot straight into Carlton’s engine room



Sam Walsh and his Carlton hit the track last week. Picture: Sarah Matray Source: News Corp Australia

Meanwhile new recruit Mitch McGovern is set to rejoin training in the coming weeks after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his back prior to Christmas.

The former Crow has been back running and will be gradually worked into full training, while fellow recruit Will Setterfield is also expect to join the main group by the end of January as he recovers from an ACL injury.

Dale Thomas of the Blues. Source: Getty Images

Levi Casboult returns for another pre-season. Source: Getty Images

New captain Patrick Cripps is all smiles. Picture: Sarah Matray Source: News Corp Australia

COLLINGWOOD

A return to the Gold Coast in January is as much about the coffee dates as it is the footy for Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury.

The midfielder says time spent chatting over a long macchiato was just as important as Monday’s full-contact match simulation.

Name a more iconic pre-training pump up, we’ll wait. pic.twitter.com/yQWyqLj9xE — Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) January 14, 2019

The Magpies are spending a week on the Gold Coast for the second-straight year, having devoted chunks of their pre-season in the US states of Utah and Arizona previous to that.

“You get away for a camp, change of environment, bit of bonding and the heat up here is nice,” Pendlebury said.

“It’s similar training (to what would be happening in Melbourne) but it’s the added things once training is done; it’s the coffees, the dinners you have as a group.

“I’ve enjoyed all the camps you get away to; you feel closer when you get back to Melbourne.”

It was a homecoming of sorts for returning Magpie Dayne Beams, who learnt his footy on the Gold Coast before becoming a household name at Collingwood.

Adam Treloar, Daniel Wells, Jamie Elliot, Matthew Scharenberg, Lynden Dunn and Tim Broomhead, who broke his leg last April, were among those restricted to light duties as the club manages their extensive injury list.

— AAP

ESSENDON

Essendon utility Patrick Ambrose has set the pace early in the club’s return from the Christmas break, taking out the Bombers’ 2km time trial along with midfielder Darcy Parish.

Ambrose managed just seven games during an injury-interrupted season last year, but could be set for an improved 2019 as the Bombers look to climb back into the finals.

Parish, meanwhile, has also returned from the break in top shape and will be looking to carry his strong finish to the 2018 season into the Bomber’s campaign this year.

Star recruit Dylan Shiel also continues to impress since crossing from the Giants.

FREMANTLE

The Dockers’ Twitter account said it best: New year, new do.

Fremantle skipper Nat Fyfe has trimmed his trademark locks as he and his teammates embark on their 2019 campaign.

GEELONG

The Cats have been buoyed by the progress of Nakia Cockatoo’s recovery from the PCL injury that derailed his 2018 season.

The explosive midfielder is back running as he looks to work his way back into the main group and looms as a key factor in Geelong’s 2019 fortunes.

“He (Cockatoo) is pretty close to joining in some smaller drills, so we will start to add him into some kicking drills really soon over the next week,” assistant coach Nigel Lappin told the Geelong Advertiser.

Nakia Cockatoo is staying healthy. Picture: Alison Wynd Source: News Corp Australia

“He has been able to put a fair bit of training together and he needs to build some resilience in his body so we are not taking too many risks with him, but at the same time when he is right to go we want him and think he should be ready.

“With a little bit of luck he is a real x-factor for us and everybody knows that we are really keen for him to come on.”

Star on-baller Patrick Dangerfield is also on track for another stellar season after shedding close to 4kg over the summer.

Patrick Dangerfield has cut a lean figure at Geelong training. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: News Corp Australia

The 2017 Brownlow Medallist was hampered by back troubles last year but has returned to training moving freely and cutting a lean figure in what is a scary prospect for opposition clubs.

GOLD COAST SUNS

The Suns are sweating it out up north, with new High Performance Manager Alex Rigby pushing the players to their limits this pre-season.

A number of players are relishing the pre-season program, working themselves into career-best shape, according to midfielder-forward Ben Ainsworth, as the club strives for a maiden finals birth in 2019.

In the zone ☀️



More on our insta: gcsuns pic.twitter.com/GATHKpntVF — Gold Coast Suns (@GoldCoastSUNS) January 14, 2019

“As soon as Alex Rigby came in they’ve become a lot harder (training sessions), but it’s been a great pre-season,” Ainsworth told media last week.

“The lads are digging in pretty hard and I think everyone’s looking in career-best form.”

Callum Ah Chee seems to have put on some muscle. Source: Getty Images

Gold Coast time trial king Josh Schoenfeld took out the 2km run on Monday, followed by teammate Touk Miller and former Cat Jordan Murdoch.

Young gun Sun Ben Ainsworth. Source: Getty Images

GWS GIANTS

This is a sight that would be please Giants fans.

Look who's back running 💪@TobyfGreene takes the next stride in his recovery.#BeGIANT pic.twitter.com/JpHyoSuA0f — GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) January 14, 2019

Star Giants forward Toby Greene is back running on the training track after undergoing surgery on his ankle late last year.

Greene played only nine games last season amid a serious foot problem.

HAWTHORN

Competition among the Hawks’ young brigade is set to heat up after the horrific broken leg suffered by ball magnet Tom Mitchell on Friday opened up a spot in the midfield.

Speaking to the media on Monday, mobile forward Jack Gunston said that while it would be a challenge to replace the Brownlow Medalist, the club was hopeful the likes of James Worpel, who played 11 games in his debut season in 2018, Dan Howe (50 games) and James Cousins (seven) would step up.

“The beauty of our last couple of years is we’ve had the Worpels, the James Cousins, the Dan Howes that have been able to get exposure to AFL footy and get continual games into their bodies and constant exposure,” Gunston said.

“A spot opens up now for them and it’s a good opportunity for them to grab that with both hands and we’ve still got a lot of preseason to go but we’ve got a lot of depth still on our list that can come in and fill those roles.”

Some good news also was the sight of veteran defender Grant Birchall and midfield recruit Tom Scully on the track.

The pair completed run throughs on Monday morning and are set to build up their workloads over the coming months.

Check out all the shots from the boys' tough hit-out this morning. 🏃🏻‍♂️



📸: https://t.co/mH038Fon28 pic.twitter.com/vN2pXNTJGt — Hawthorn FC (@HawthornFC) January 14, 2019

MELBOURNE

Demons fans can be excited by the pre-season performance of gun recruit Steven May.

After crossing to the Demons from the Suns during the trade period, May has worked himself into the shape of his career, according to retired Demon Bernie Vince, and looms as a key piece in the Demons’ premiership puzzle.

"He's in the best shape he's ever been," Vince told SEN radio on Friday.

"His skinfolds probably weren't great when he came to the footy club, but he's improved his running heaps.

"His potential could be anything this year."

Walking outside into that Melbourne heat. 🤚😬 pic.twitter.com/0ttT7de0CF — Melbourne FC (@melbournefc) January 14, 2019

Rebounding defender Jayden Hunt has also started 2019 strongly as he fights for a place in the Demon’s best 22 this season, taking out the side’s post-Christmas time trial, while midfielder Angus Brayshaw currently headlines a star-studded list of Demons looking to work their way back into full training.

The 23-year-old was restricted by a back complaint prior to the break but is set to rejoin the main group this week, while Co-captain Jack Viney (foot), defender Jake Lever (knee) and on-baller Clayton Oliver (shoulders) also continue to progress in their recovery from injury.

NORTH MELBOURNE

The Kangaroos returned to training for 2019 on Monday.

The club released some of the best images from training via its website.

It came as rookie Nick Larkey was unveiled as a very talented artist.

During the players’ scheduled time off, Larkey painted a mural of the a kangaroo in the club’s gym.

PORT ADELAIDE

The Power were one of several clubs that returned to work early last week, sweltering through the hot Adelaide conditions.

Category B rookie Kai Pudney was the most impressive runner out on the track, pipping Karl Amon.

RICHMOND

There were some great snaps taken at Punt Road as the 2017 AFL premiers hit the track for the first time this year.

Our personal favourite was Jack Riewoldt rocking his own version of the Legionnaires Hat.

Jack‘s bringing back the flap 🤠 pic.twitter.com/hyvwe0WeoJ — Richmond FC 🐯 (@Richmond_FC) January 14, 2019

Popular forward Jack Higgins was among the Tigers on the track and provided fans with a (very short and speedy) insight into the sweltering training session.

ST KILDA

There was a welcome sight for Saints fans at training on Monday, with gun defender Dylan Roberton alongside his teammates.

Roberton has been on a modified training schedule after he innocuously collapsed against Geelong midway through a game last season.



It came two days after the Saints held a 3km time trial, which saw Ed Phillips and Dan McKenzie as the first two players across the line.

But on-lookers were impressed that day by second-year midfielder Hunter Clark, who smashed his personal best time as he aims for more midfield time in 2019.

“When Richo set me a target for my 3km, it was to enable me to play more time in the midfield, so that's what I've been training to do, and hopefully I can continue to train well and show that I can play there,” Clark told the club’s website.

Two days later and the Saints were at it again.

This picture of gun midfielder Seb Ross epitomised the conditions players endured across Melbourne on Monday.

In case you haven’t stepped outside today... pic.twitter.com/gI1n7d09Rq — St Kilda FC (@stkildafc) January 14, 2019

SYDNEY SWANS

If you thought Swans skipper Josh Kennedy was past his best, think again.

The star midfielder cut a lean figure at Swans training on Monday as the club enters 2019 determined to keep its excellent finals record this century continuing.

Kennedy suffered a slight dip in numbers in 2018. But going by his physique with a couple of months to go until the home and away season, the star midfielder might be as powerful and effective as ever at stoppages in 2019.

But Kennedy isn’t the only Swan who’s spent plenty of time in the gym this off-season.

Meanwhile, Callum Sinclair wants to find a better balance between his ruck and forward output this year.

“I think it just comes down to planning and the coaches are quite good with structuring a development plan for each player. So I’ve got certain focuses I’ve got to work on at training and at the moment that balance is quite good. I’ve been getting some good exposure to the forward line and midfield,” Sinclair told the club’s website.

“I’m pretty comfortable with where I am with my footy at the moment, and I’m happy to play a role wherever needed again this year. Over the last few years, I’ve played a variety of roles for the Swans and we’ll see how things pan out in 2019.”

WEST COAST EAGLES

West Coast premiership forward Jack Darling claims he's fitter and lighter than last season, adding he's determined to return to the career-best form he flirted with last year before injury struck.

Darling booted 48 goals during an injury-interrupted 2018 campaign yet returned to Eagles pre-season training ahead of schedule to get a head start.

And that move has already paid dividends.

"I think my results in the 2km (time trial) and skinfolds are probably a little bit better than last year, so might be onto something with a bit of a longer break," Darling said.

“My 2km and my skins were a bit better than years gone by, so we might be onto something with the longer break.” Jack Darling pic.twitter.com/foj0M9Cp0d — West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) January 14, 2019

The gun forward said it would feel different inside the Eagles' forward 50 this year without veteran Mark LeCras, who retired after the 2018 flag triumph.

"He's (LeCras) usually driving the standards and his education to the young guys, so blokes like Willie (Rioli) and Liam Ryan they've got to step up with their communication and pass on knowledge to the newcomers," Darling said.

Injured ruckman Nic Naitanui did a power of running work during the Eagles' session on Monday, but key defender Tom Barrass (foot) and Daniel Venables (knee) remain sidelined due to injury.

From the track. pic.twitter.com/YMmACvjYdn — West Coast Eagles (@WestCoastEagles) January 14, 2019

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen is setting himself to return to peak form in 2019.

The exciting defender played all 22 games for the Dogs last year but was forced to undergo surgery on his hip, consequently hindering the start of his pre-season.

But Johannisen recently rejoined the main group at Bulldogs training, with the aiming of increasing his output over the coming weeks.

Charging into 2019 like 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/hgqCY4MLlM — Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) January 11, 2019

"It was a pretty smooth procedure. I've graduated out of the rehab group now," Johannisen told the club's website.

"The work from the medical and rehab staff has got me to where I am today.

"I'm just really looking forward to getting a good start in the JLT (Community Series) and playing some good footy."

New year, new look? 💈💇‍♂️



JJ explains why he had to say goodbye to the blonde tips. — Western Bulldogs (@westernbulldogs) January 12, 2019

But if you’ve seen Johannisen on the track recently, you would’ve noticed the absence of his trademark blonde tips.

It was a change out of necessity, according to the 26-year-old.

“I had to chop the blonde out. The hair was getting really, really dead, so I had to try and get my hair healthy again,” he said with a smile.

“I’ve gone back to all natural again, but who knows what I have in store. I could come up with something crazy, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

