AFL Track Watch: All the latest news and standouts from Essendon and Richmond training

In a marathon training session on Friday morning, the Bombers were put to work in a lengthy intra-club hitout – and there was one clear standout. Get all the intel from the track.

A haul from Kyle Langford in an intraclub battle will have Essendon fans feeling relief as the club’s forwardline moves on from Jake Stringer.

The Bombers slugged it out in a marathon session on Friday morning and played a lengthy intraclub hitout with help from top-line umpires.

Essendon track watchers anointed Langford as the best-on-ground after he slotted three goals in a row at one point, as part of an impressive haul.

The marking forward won the club goalkicking in 2024 with 43 majors, but that output was down on a 51-goal season the year before.

He enjoyed a strong patch of form in the middle of the year but managed just six goals in his final five games as the Bombers faded out of finals contention.

Kyle Langford was the star of Essendon’s intra-club hitout on Friday. Picture: Mark Stewart

The straight-kicking leader was one of the last to leave the track, staying out to work on his goalkicking.

Langford is set to be a focal point next season alongside youngster Nate Caddy, with three-time goalkicking winner Stringer sent up to GWS in the trade period.

Langford played in the red forwardline with Peter Wright, while Caddy was at the other end on the opposing grey team, with the two sides split evenly.

Harry Jones, who spent most of 2024 playing on a wing, was playing as a deep forward for the grey side in the final portion of match play.

Wright ended the session with a big contested grab then spent several minutes post-match talking through body positioning with assistant coaches.

As usual, Nic Martin covered a heap of ground in the red jumper and found the ball, while a strong mark from Sam Durham led to Mason Redman kicking the final goal of the game.

Sam Draper pushed forward at every opportunity while playing for the grey team, and went head-to-head with ruck compatriot Nick Bryan.

Saad El-Hawli was right behind Andy McGrath as the Dons were put through their paces. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

A number of Bombers finished the game watching on from stationary bikes, including Nik Cox, Xavier Duursma, Jye Menzie and Jye Caldwell.

Once the match was wound up, the Bombers finished with some old school fitness work, sent to run up and down a hill behind the goals as assistant coaches belted players with bump bags.

Vice-captain Andy McGrath was the clear frontrunner during the fitness finish, leading the running throughout, with uncapped speedster Saad El-Hawli right behind him.

Bryan limped away near the end of the running and copped plenty of light-hearted lip from the coaches as he left the group.

YOUNG FORWARD PUTS HAND UP TO PARTNER RETURNING LYNCH

— Al Paton

All eyes are on the first year players at Punt Rd, but Richmond’s biggest boost could come from an untapped third-year tall.

Having played only eight games across his career, Jacob Bauer was a clear standout at Friday’s open training.

The young forward dominated in the air, with three back-to-back contested marks during inside-50 drills.

Bauer stands 192cm but his aerial ability against strong opponents in Jacob Blight and Ben Miller earned loud shouts of approval from coach Adem Yze on the sidelines.

Seth Campbell and Rhyan Mansell were clean at ground level and tackled ferociously during match simulation.

Jacob Bauer impressing at Punt Road - won his last three aerial contests comfortably, finishing with the mark in all. #RichmondFC#AFL#SuperCoachpic.twitter.com/N4TvLBGZ4P

— Chloe Williams (@chloekwilliams) December 13, 2024

Swingman Noah Balta looked notably stronger and appears to finally be cemented in the backline, imposing himself on each contest playing as the loose defender.

Tom Lynch joined in initial drills with the forward group, working his way back into contested packs and bringing the ball to ground - a sight sorely missed by Tiger fans in 2024.

He completed running drills for the remainder of the session alongside Mykelti Lefau and Judson Clarke, who are on the way back from ACL injuries.

Jacob Bauer on the punching bag during a pre-season session. Picture: Michael Klein

No.1 draft pick Sam Lalor sat out the main session, also executing a running program and agility drills.

Draftees Jasper Alger, Luke Trainor and Harry Armstrong took part in the entire session and held their own during match simulation - with Trainor’s elite kicking and ability to find the right option on display.

Josh Smillie was a notable absentee from most drills due to a sore hip, but made himself available to say hello to the fans at Punt Rd.

Originally published as AFL Track Watch: All the latest news and standouts from Essendon and Richmond training