Snapshot: The Crows returned to West Lakes on January 4 and quickly progressed to internal trials. Coach Neil Craig has trained his players behind closed doors to help refine the team’s ball movement.
Medical room: Nathan van Berlo (back) is making slow progress, but Nathan Bock (heel), Brad Symes (knee), Brad Moran (knee) and Jason Porplyzia (pelvis) should all make an appearance in the latter NAB Cup rounds.
Who’s burning: Forward Taylor Walker, who has put on 10kg of muscle, will be hard to overlook at the selection table and Craig continues to sing the praises of midfielders Rory Sloane and Patrick Dangerfield.
NAB Cup opener: February 13 v Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
BRISBANE LIONS
Snapshot: The Lions have been based at Coorparoo over summer. The squad resumed on January 4 before heading to the Sunshine Coast a month later for the club’s Community Camp.
Medical room: Xavier Clarke and draftee Callum Bartlett are both on the comeback trail from knee reconstructions in 2009. Each is making good progress but won’t play in the early rounds of the season.
Who’s burning: Jamie Charman and Matthew Leuenberger are both back and raring to go in 2010. Jack Redden has added considerable bulk to his frame, too.
NAB Cup opener: February 14 v Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval.
CARLTON
Snapshot: Brett Ratten has praised his group for a stellar pre-season, but the campaign hit a snag when the first intra-club match was cancelled due to weather and a virus that floored several players.
Medical room: Marc Murphy and Jarrad Waite are the chief concerns but both remain on target to play round one as they work back from hip and knee operations respectively.
Who’s burning: Mark Austin has bulked up, Setanta O'hAilpin is delighted with his first uninterrupted pre-season for years, while Eddie Betts, Ryan Houlihan and Andrew Walker were whipped into shape at a boxing gym during their exile.
NAB Cup opener: February 20 v Sydney Swans at Blacktown Olympic Park.
COLLINGWOOD
Snapshot: Collingwood has been based at Gosch’s Paddock since resuming. After a community camp in northern Victoria in the first week of February, the Pies played their first intra-club match on February 5.
Medical room: Brad Dick (shoulder) remains the only player likely to miss the NAB Cup. Dale Thomas (leg), Josh Fraser (knee), Jack Anthony (shoulder) and Sean Rusling (soreness) are being eased back into game time.
Who’s burning: After several impressive VFL displays last season, Jarrad Blight looks ready to take the next step. Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams have both added muscle while maintaining their running power.
NAB Cup opener: February 19 v St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
ESSENDON
Snapshot: The Bombers resumed on January 11 and have been training at Windy Hill and La Trobe University. They travelled to Shepparton for their community camp and intra-club match in early February.
Medical room: Tyson Slattery (fractured fibula), Jason Laycock (calf), David Myers (hamstring), Michael Hurley (wrist) and Scott Gumbleton (back) are currently restricted, with the latter two to play in the second NAB Cup match.
Who’s burning: Mark McVeigh is a picture of fitness after dropping five kilos and David Hille looks likely to play round one after a solid summer.
NAB Cup opener: February 12 v West Coast at Subiaco Oval.
FREMANTLE
Snapshot: Pre-season training resumed on January 4 at Fremantle Oval, and players went on a leadership camp in early February. The club’s first-year players went on a challenging overnight sail on Leeuwin II in late January.
Medical room: Rhys Palmer (knee) will be held back during the NAB Cup and could also miss round one of the season proper, while youngster Tim Ruffles is also returning slowly from a knee reconstruction. Recruit Adam McPhee has managed a return from upper-arm surgery since arriving at the club.
Who’s burning: Stephen Hill has added 5kg to his slight frame, while new arrival Anthony Morabito is “ready to go” according to captain Matthew Pavlich. Luke McPharlin is in the best shape of his career.
NAB Cup opener: February 21 v Melbourne at Subiaco Oval.
GEELONG
Snapshot: With Skilled Stadium being returfed, the Cats have been training at Elderslie Reserve since returning on January 11. Mathew Stokes has provided all the interest a club could imagine in the last week.
Medical room: Gun youngster Mitch Brown has reinjured his broken leg, veteran Brad Ottens is nearly right after a fight with a boat and Steve Johnson has been troubled again by his hip.
Who's burning: Young forward Tom Hawkins has trimmed down and is running better than ever. Taylor Hunt has bulked up, while Josh Hunt is well on track after last year's ACL.
NAB Cup opener: February 21 v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
HAWTHORN
Snapshot: The Hawks have had a much smoother run than last year when many players were in the rehab group. With an extra month of preparation than last year, the Hawks are well-placed.
Medical room: Lance Franklin had an interrupted pre-season after foot surgery but is back training now. Max Bailey is making a steady return from his latest knee reconstruction.
Who’s burning: With Trent Croad retiring over the break, Ryan Schoenmakers is doing his best to make a key defender position his own. Indications are Luke Hodge might play across half-forward this year.
NAB Cup opener: February 13 v Richmond at Aurora Stadium.
MELBOURNE
Snapshot: The Demons returned on January 4, switching between Junction Oval and Casey Fields. The six draft recruits have trained in an "exceptional" manner according to coach Dean Bailey.
Medical room: Sam Blease (leg) and Col Garland (foot) are progressing from serious injuries. Ruck stocks are a concern with Mark Jamar, Paul Johnson, John Meesen and Jake Spencer all having interrupted pre-seasons. Austin Wonaeamirri (hamstring) has returned to training, while Max Gawn (knee) and Matthew Bate (foot) are coming along.
Who's burning: Reigning best-and-fairest winner Aaron Davey and runner-up Brent Moloney have had better pre-seasons than last year. Jared Rivers has also produced his best pre-season. Brad Miller and Colin Sylvia have prepared strongly.
NAB Cup opener: February 21 v Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Snapshot: The Roos spent a week on the Gold Coast in mid-January. Pre-season training has otherwise been at revamped Arden Street, though Ballarat's Eureka Stadium is hosting their intra-club matches.
Medical room: Daniel Wells (groin) may play before round one but remains the biggest concern. Lindsay Thomas (quad) and Ben Cunnington (foot) continue their rehabilitation. Andrew Swallow (groin), Liam Anthony (finger), Michael Firrito (ankle) and Leigh Adams (knee) are close to fit.
Who's burning: Draftee Ryan Bastinac won two time trials and should figure in the early rounds. Cruize Garlett was the standout in the first scratch match while forward Ben Warren has been solid all summer.
NAB Cup opener: February 21 v Geelong at Etihad Stadium.
PORT ADELAIDE
Snapshot: The Power returned to training on January 5 with the emphasis still on tackling and defensive pressure. The players took part in a full-scale internal trial on Saturday February 6.
Medical room: David Rodan (knee) is making rapid progress and Jason Davenport (shoulder), Cameron Cloke (shoulder) and Marlon Motlop (foot) are also on the mend. Hamish Hartlett (hamstring) will miss most of the NAB Cup.
Who’s burning: Rookie-listed forward Cameron Hitchcock is in line to fill Rodan’s spot on the senior list. Travis Boak and Robbie Gray have earned greater midfield roles and Matthew Lobbe will be given a chance in the ruck.
NAB Cup opener: February 13 v Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
RICHMOND
Snapshot: The Tigers have mostly trained at Craigieburn since returning on January 4, with some light skills work at their spiritual and physical home of Punt Rd.
Medical room: The two major worries are Nathan Foley (ankle operation) and Troy Simmonds (rolled ankle). Trent Cotchin's pre-season is being managed, which means training twice a week.
Who's burning: New midfielder (draft pick three overall) Dustin Martin is impressing already, while Dean Polo is slotting into his new forward role nicely, as is the newly rookied veteran Graham Polak.
NAB Cup opener: February 13 v Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium.
ST KILDA
Snapshot: The Saints have completed their last pre-season at Moorabbin. Andrew Lovett’s arrival and Luke Ball’s departure have kept the Saints in the news over summer.
Medical room: There have been reports that Lenny Hayes has been set back with stress fractures in his foot. Jason Gram and Steven Baker have been nursed through the pre-season as well.
Who’s burning: There are big wraps on Irish recruit Tommy Walsh who has adjusted quicker than expected to football. He should see some NAB Cup action, as should skipper Nick Riewoldt who has enjoyed his first injury-free summer for years.
NAB Cup opener: February 19 v Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.
SYDNEY SWANS
Snapshot: The Swans have had their earliest start to pre-season training in seven years and the fitness staff have taken full advantage. From endless laps of Centennial Park to hill repeats at the Kurnell sand dunes, the Swans are fitter than they’ve been for years.
Medical room: Craig Bolton (achilles) and Rhyce Shaw (knee) have had interrupted preparations but they have now returned to skills training. Lewis Johnston (toe), Jesse White (ankle) and Brett Meredith (quad) will miss at least the first round of the NAB Cup while Kristin Thornton (knee) is still three weeks from rejoining the main group.
Who’s burning: Tadhg Kennelly has starred in scratch matches. Shane Mumford looks set for first claim on Darren Jolly’s ruck spot, while Craig Bird, Nick Malceski and Ryan O’Keefe have excelled on the track.
NAB Cup opener: February 20 v Carlton at Blacktown Olympic Park.
WEST COAST
Snapshot: West Coast resumed pre-season training on January 4. The sessions have shifted from Claremont Oval to Subiaco with a two-day community camp in Mandurah breaking things up.
Medical room: An abdominal strain interrupted Dean Cox’s pre-season. Tim Houlihan (foot) is training in a moon boot and faces time on the sidelines. Adam Cockie, Lewis Broome, Gerrick Weedon and Ryan Neates are being managed.
Who’s burning: A faster and stronger Chris Masten is over his groin troubles and dominated the intra-club match. Daniel Kerr is approaching career-best shape, while draftee Brad Sheppard has impressed training with the Eagles’ midfielders.
NAB Cup opener: February 12 v Essendon at Subiaco Oval.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Snapshot: The Dogs resumed on January 4 and have been completing a huge cross-training program that has seen them work on bikes, in the sand, the pool and the boxing ring.
Medical room: Nathan Eagleton (knee) and Will Minson (toe) should play round one. Sam Reid and Stephen Tiller (groin) are working well while Jarrod Harbrow (knee) may miss the first NAB Cup game.
Who’s burning: Liam Jones starred in the intra-club match and could debut this year, Daniel Giansiracusa looks a picture of fitness after a big pre-season and Andrejs Everitt has impressed with renewed dedication.
NAB Cup opener: February 14 v Brisbane Lions at Manuka Oval.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
