AFL pre-season track watch: Josh Barnes’ training notes from Essendon

Essendon’s new mantra was clear during an early pre-season session on Friday. JOSH BARNES brings you all the key track notes from Tullamarine.

There was an obvious mantra throughout Essendon’s lengthy Friday session – the Dons are all in on second efforts.

As assistant coach Daniel Giansiracusa scolded youngster Luamon Lual for not following up in a short contest drill, the message was clear.

“We are not a one and done team,” the assistant bellowed.

Head coach Brad Scott was direct with his players at the end of the season that the summer training was not about fitness and instead about football – the players needed to come back to pre-season in tip-top shape.

A host of senior heads led that example on Friday — with players with more than four years experience not officially required back until November 25 — including skipper Zach Merrett, Andy McGrath, Mason Redman, Darcy Parish and Jordan Ridley.

Nic Martin moves with the ball at Essendon training. Picture: Essendon FC

Saad El-Hawli at Essendon training on Friday. Picture: Essendon FC

McGrath completed the session in a fluoro cap, a sign for teammates to avoid contact, after post-season wrist surgery.

Jye Menzie also wore the fluoro lid after shoulder surgery, while injury-prone defender Zach Reid followed suit.

Reid took part in most of the drills throughout the session including match simulation play, looking at home in an enthralling duel with young gun Nate Caddy.

The towering Reid has been beset by soft-tissue injury problems and has played nine games across four seasons, including just one in 2024.

But the potential has always been evident and he did a solid job marshalling his defence when playing on the list line, pairing well with young tall Lewis Hayes.

Ben Hobbs on the move at Essendon training. Picture: Essendon FC

Mason Redman dishes a handball at Essendon training. Picture: Essendon FC

Caddy moved well through the session before Reid left with a nasty corky on his left leg, with the forward limping towards the end of the session.

After Scott sent Harry Jones to a wing for much of 2024, the tall was stationed alongside Caddy as a forward throughout match play.

But numbers were so limited in those drills that Giansiracusa and development coach Michael Hurley donned bibs and joined in, with Jones at one point mercilessly wrapping up Giansiracusa in a tackle.

Ruck Sam Draper was not at training after making an appearance on Monday, with Nick Bryan and Vigo Visentini rucking.

Nic Martin moved well with blonde tips and broader shoulders, having appeared to put on some muscle in the off-season, while Archie Roberts and Saad El-Hawli were active.