TROUBLED West Coast rookie Murray Newman will start with a clean slate this pre-season, according to coach Adam Simpson.

 

The Eagles' first-to-fourth-year players began day one of their pre-season on Wednesday in Perth with some medical screenings, testing and a light skills session.

 

It was Newman's first official day back at the club after serving six months in jail this year for a grievous bodily harm conviction.

 

West Coast retained Newman on its rookie list and Simpson said the 20-year-old does not have to serve any extra penalties from the club as far as selection goes next season.

 

The coach said he is very pleased with Newman's work ethic since he returned to the club in September.

 

"There's no penance, we pick the best available," Simpson said.

 

"I've seen nothing but good things with Murray from my first day here last year when I was asked the same question on how he trained and prepared. That hasn't changed at all since I've been here.   

 

"He's trained every day since the boys left (in September). Every time I've been at the club, he's been there training.

 

"If you have a look at him, he's in really good shape. He's probably too big. He's been pumping iron for about eight weeks, so we need to manage that."

 

Simpson was hopeful that Newman could complete a full pre-season and make himself available for the NAB Challenge.

 

The coach was very pleased with the way that his young players trained in the first session, especially Jeremy McGovern after he failed to meet the minimum fitness standards last year.

  

"He's looking in good condition at the moment," Simpson said.

 

"He's probably already two months ahead of where he was this time last year."

 

A number of the Eagles' young midfielders appear to have bulked up during their time off, which is something Simpson said the club was searching for.

 

"We wanted to put a bit of size on and strength over the break and then work on conditioning when we got back, so we've seen a bit of size on some players," Simpson said.

 

"We have to be careful with that too. It's not all about bulking up."

 

He also said the club will consider recruiting delisted Blue Kane Lucas. 

Veteran defender Beau Waters trained having missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.

 

Category B rookies Corey Adamson and Paddy Brophy were both present with the former been in training with Newman since the start of September.