SCOTT Pendlebury, Adam Treloar and Taylor Adams all made an early return to Collingwood training on Wednesday.

The skipper and his two midfield mates weren't due back for another fortnight, but joined the first-to-four-year players who returned for pre-season training.

Pendlebury's 2017 season was cut short when he required two rounds of surgery on a finger he injured in round 17.

Treloar and Adams are coming off terrific seasons in which they finished third and second respectively behind Steele Sidebottom in the Copeland Trophy.

All were intent on setting the tone for a strong 2018 with their early return.

Even Magpies coach Nathan Buckley got stuck in, joining the players for some reps up the famed Anderson St hill.

Players head off on the brutal Anderson St hill run. Picture: Collingwood Media

Magpies players feel the effects after the run. Picture: Collingwood Media