Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton has taken out the club’s 2km time trial around Princes Park on Tuesday morning.

The 28-year-old took out the intense endurance test ahead of David Zaharakis and Travis Colyer as the club’s senior players return for pre-season training.

Stanton said he was happy with how he performed in just his second day back from the break.

“It was pretty good. I didn’t wear a watch today but I had to guide myself on the training that I had been doing over the break,” Stanton said.

“We are all pretty happy with the times and most of the boys have come back in good shape again.”

Now into his 12th pre-season Stanton said the ultimate fitness test of the pre-season was only getting harder with age.

“It certainly gets harder as you get older, probably four years ago was the easiest it could be although it is never easy,” Stanton said.

“Those years are starting to pile up but it is just good to get back into training with these boys.”

High Performance Manager Justin Crow said he was pleased with the way the senior group had return from their break.

“Today was a good start for the guys, most of our guys met the expectations we set for them,” Crow said.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us but today is a really good first step in building towards the season.”

It was clear and calm conditions that greeted the players with Zaharakis and Colyer crossing the line in equal second position.

Irish recruit Conor McKenna impressively finished in fourth position ahead of midfielder Jake Melksham.

“It is the first time Conor has ever run the 2km so it was really impressive that he held on for that last kilometre,” Stanton said.

“He went out pretty hard and also both Trav and Zacka have come back in really good shape so it is great to see.”

A full video of the run will be up online at essendonfc.com.au later this afternoon.

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