THE stars are back in action. 

With 24 days until footy's official return, players across the competition returned to their clubs for the first time since the season was postponed on Monday morning. 

Richmond's Trent Cotchin, Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy among the first to hit the track for the reigning premiers at Punt Road. 

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick believes his team is in a good position to capitalise on the difficulties of the 2020 season and push for its third AFL premiership in four years.

"I know a lot of people have probably jumped up in arms a little bit with regard to 'it's going to be an unfair playing field and it's going to be a little bit different', but this will be one of the greatest premierships ever won in AFL," Hardwick said.

A stone's throw away, Jordan De Goey and Jaidyn Stephenson trained at opposite ends of the ground under the watchful eye of coach Nathan Buckley. 

And in Sydney, Lance Franklin (pictured) looked sharp as he attempts to overcome a knee injury that kept him out of round one. 

Players trained in groups of 7-8 to allow for a handful of coaches to join them. 

Hardwick said the Tigers had put a lot of work into mentally preparing their players for the season restart, as well as their physical conditioning.

Rather than the difficult circumstances bringing Richmond back to the pack, Hardwick was confident the Tigers' well-established playing style and stable squad put them at an advantage.

"We've embedded a game plan that we've been very fortunate to have had three seasons of playing - it will always evolve but our playing list is relatively stable as well," he said.

"We've brought in some young talent but predominantly, the 18 to 22 players that are going to form the basis of our side are on the track and training together right now, so I think it will hold us in good stead.

"There's going to be some challenges, there's no doubt about that... But we're very confident that we'll be able to put on a good product come round two and the season thereafter."

Bachar Houli was the only Richmond player on a limited rehab program, with the dual-premiership defender pulling up sore after his most recent training session.

Social distancing was in full swing at the Pies, water bottles spaced at least 1.5 metres apart to observe current restrictions. 

Players will be allowed to train in a non-contact format for this week before a return to full training with two sessions per week from May 25.