THE LURE of Flemington marquees, Bali beach breaks and US sporting odysseys is over for many of the AFL's youngest stars, with the reality of pre-season training set to kick in.
For those clubs that didn't feature in the finals, the quest to get there in 2016 begins for their first to fourth-year players on Monday.
Victorian based players in particular are facing a sweltering start, with 34 degrees forecast.
Under the collective bargaining agreement with the AFL Players' Association, the youngest players are the first to return to the club, followed by their more senior teammates in the coming weeks.
Some Melbourne players were already spotted training last week, but their first official session will take place at Gosch's Paddock at 2.30 on Monday afternoon.
All eyes will be on young star Christian Petracca, the number two draft pick has recovered from a knee reconstruction, and is reportedly raring to push for an AFL debut early in 2016.
St Kilda's first to fourth-year players, including former Magpie draftee Nathan Freeman, are expected to take part in a time trial on Monday.
Former Bomber Jake Carlisle will also start training at St Kilda headquarters as part of the package of penalties he was handed following admissions of illicit drug use.
While the Gabba in Brisbane is in cricket mode, the Lions youngsters will still return to training.
Key forward Michael Close, who's recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, and young defender Darcy Gardiner, who's had both an ankle and shoulder reconstruction, will be in the recovery group.
Essendon's young players will face a time trial on Monday, before 11 of them head to the Northern Territory for a pre-season camp on Tuesday.
"We want to make it an ongoing thing, that when you arrive at the club, you have the opportunity to go," game performance manager Mark Neeld told the club's website.
"There will be community activities, school visits, a trip to a juvenile detention centre and they'll watch an AFLNT match and interact with kids in the crowd.
"But there will be challenges for the players from a training perspective too. It's about 35 degrees up there so it's not going to be easy.
"There will be obstacles the players will face and we want to see if they can overcome them."
Collingwood players will spend a week training in Melbourne before a development camp at Falls Creek.
Former Lion James Aish and ex-Giant Adam Treloar will meet their new teammates for the first time.
Magpies high performance manager Bill Davoren said while fitness is a focus, skills will be too.
"The footy's will come out straight away," Davoren told the club's website.
"We’ll be doing some skill work and getting a general football load into their bodies."
Among the Geelong players returning are young stars Nakia Cockatoo, Jake Kolodjashnij, Cory Gregson, Jackson Thurlow and the club's young player of the year Darcy Lang.
The Cats' first session is at Elderslie Reserve in Newton around 11.30am on Monday.
At Port Adelaide star recruit Charlie Dixon has made an early start to pre-season training.
The former Sun wasn't due to join training until November 23, but has started working with high performance manager Darren Burgess already, working on overcoming ankle issues.
Young players from Carlton, Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast are also expected to return to training this week.
