MELBOURNE has sweltered through an intense training session lasting more than two hours at Casey Fields, taking advantage of an ice-cool refrigerated truck for brief breaks.
The session wasn’t without some friendly fire. Former Bulldog Daniel Cross left the track after copping a knock to the nose while Matt Jones pushed on after appearing to injure his calf.
"[It is] pretty hot - I’ve had about 10 minutes to cool down and I still can’t cool down," midfielder Nathan Jones told reporters after the session.
Jack Watts, who has been training with the midfield group, estimated he may have lost up to three kilograms of body weight through the session, but said the chill breaks helped.
"[It] saved me today, I was almost done and then we got to go in the cooldown truck and really freshen up," Watts said.
"It's been a solid week, but that's footy isn't it, it's pre-season."
Star recruit Bernie Vince remains on a modified program. He ran laps on a separate oval while key forward duo Chris Dawes and Mitch Clark also trained away from the main group.
Dawes had a knee clean-up in the off-season while Clark is on the comeback trail after multiple foot problems.
Exciting youngster Jesse Hogan trained indoors after jarring his knee last week.
Melbourne's first NAB Challenge match is on Friday February 14 against Richmond at Etihad Stadium as part of the AFL's new 18 games in 18 days format.
