WOODEN spoon side Melbourne will commence pre-season training on Monday, as promised by coach Dean Bailey after round 22's 80-point thrashing from Richmond.

Bailey was furious about the efforts from his players in the farewell match for club veterans Adem Yze, Jeff White and Ben Holland, and in the clash with Port Adelaide a week earlier.

He also told them to turn up from their holiday period in shape or risk the consequences, which translates to punishment on the track.

"At the end of round 22, I made it fairly clear that they needed to turn up not in good condition, not in acceptable condition, but in very, very good condition," he told Wednesday's Herald Sun.

"If you want to test us and come back in very poor nick, you'll pay the price.

"If you arrive in poor condition, you're just telling us, 'I'm prepared to take the extra pain of training that will follow'.

But it appears a lesson was learnt from the intense eight-week training block that led into last Christmas – another reason behind the 2009 preparations commencing now.

"There might be a concern from some that by starting early you can burn them out," he said.

"We won't flog them straight up. We want to train them smarter."

The club's raft of injured stars, including forward Russell Robertson (achilles), defender Jared Rivers (stomach/groin) and midfielder Brock McLean (ankle) won't be heading the packs next week, however, Bailey is pleased with their progress.

"It doesn't take him long to get fit. He's kept himself in really good nick," he said of McLean, who could begin jogging at the start of next month.

And there is also a question mark over full-back Nathan Carroll, who is up for trade despite having a year to run on his contract.

"We've still got trade week to go. We'll wait and see," Bailey said.