ADELAIDE
Resumed training: Monday, November 1
Snapshot: The bulk of the group resumed at Max Basheer Reserve with medical testing, time trials and skills. The Crows' pre-season will look slightly different this time around as the club looks to learn from a 2010 campaign that filled the medical room and cruelled its finals chances. A five-day camp on the Gold Coast is scheduled for late January.
Medical room: Star recruit Richard Tambling is at least a month away from running with the main group due to hip operations and groin release surgery. Andy Otten looks a picture of health and is running without a brace after spending the season recovering from a knee reconstruction, but is not quite back into full contact drills. David Mackay had groin surgery last week and will not feature until after Christmas. Kurt Tippett and Scott Thompson are on slightly modified programs.
Early movers: Nathan van Berlo, Matthew Wright and Rory Sloane caught the eye with their performances in the time trials. Chris Knights looks to be over a wretched 2010 and is moving well.
NAB Cup opener: February 11 v Melbourne and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium

BRISBANE LIONS
Resume training: Monday, November 8
Snapshot: A trip to China to take on Melbourne in an exhibition match meant an interrupted break for the Lions. A revamped football department - including new football manager Dean Warren and new assistant coaches Gary O'Donnell and Shane Woewodin - also awaits the players when they return.
Medical room: Brendan Fevola is still in cotton wool after recovering from groin surgery, as is skipper Jonathan Brown, who is not expected to resume full training until well into the new year.
Early movers: The three midfield 'R's - Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden and Daniel Rich - impressed against Melbourne in the Shanghai Showdown. Newly elevated rookie Claye Beams also shone against the Demons, while Todd Banfield was lively for Australia in the International Rules Series.
NAB Cup opener: February 18 v Essendon and St Kilda at Etihad Stadium

CARLTON
Resumed training: Monday, November 1
Snapshot: Playerswith three seasons' experience or less returned on November 1 and will undertake three sessions before the next group - with four to seven years' experience - arrives on November 8. New assistants Alan Richardson, Gavin Brown and John Barker were all on hand to meet the charges.
Medical room: Matthew Kreuzer continues to make solid progress from a knee reconstruction and remains on track to return in round one. Gun youngster Kane Lucas has recovered from the hamstring injury that ended his season. Simon White is training with a protective brace on his right hand.
Early movers: There are just nine or so players back on deck at the moment, but Jaryd Cachia, Marcus Davies and David Ellard all look to be in excellent nick.
NAB Cup opener: February 12 v Richmond and Collingwood at Etihad Stadium

COLLINGWOOD
Resumed training: Monday, October 18
Snapshot: About half-a-dozen of the Pies' youngest returned last month, however new recruits Chris Tarrant, Andrew Krakouer and John Ceglar have also been among that group. That trio joined training not long after becoming Collingwood players in trade week. Tarrant and Ceglar are certain to head to Arizona when the Pies depart for their US training camp on November 14, while the club will await a decision on Krakouer's visa application before seeing whether the mature-age recruit travels. The majority of the premiership squad doesn't return to training until November 12.
Medical room: Alan Didak has been the only significant off-season injury. The premiership star is going under the knife to reattach the pectoral muscle he tore late in the season. Brad Dick is progressing well from another shoulder injury and will head to Arizona.
Early mover: Tarrant has been a regular in the club's altitude room and gym as he works hard to get in shape and reacquaint himself with his former surrounds and teammates.
NAB Cup opener: February 12 v Richmond and Carlton at Etihad Stadium

ESSENDON
Resumed training: Monday, November 1
Snapshot: There's a fresh look about the Bombers this pre-season with club great James Hird taking over from Matthew Knights as senior coach. Hird put the players through a light skills session on their first day back, with new assistant coaches Brendan McCartney, Dean Wallis and Simon Goodwin all having plenty of input.
Medical room: Key defender Tayte Pears, goalkicking midfielder David Zaharakis and injury-prone forward Scott Gumbleton are all in the rehabilitation group after having post-season surgery.
Early mover: Emerging key position player Darcy Daniher - the son of former Bombers full-back Anthony Daniher - has been beset by injuries since joining Essendon under the father-son rule in 2007. But Daniher, who has played only six AFL games, is fighting fit and aiming to complete his first full pre-season training campaign.
NAB Cup opener: February 18 v Brisbane Lions and St Kilda at Etihad Stadium

FREMANTLE
Resumes training: Monday, November 15
Snapshot: Progressing through to the semi-finals for the first time since 2006 means a late start for Fremantle, but new development coaches Jason McCartney and Ashley Prescott have arrived, with mature-age recruit Tendai Mzungu also keen to get started. The Dockers are planning a pre-season camp in Kalgoorlie.
Medical room: Tim Ruffles has been formally delisted, but the young forward is likely to be re-rookied by the club as he recovers from a second knee reconstruction. Hayden Ballantyne (foot) should be free of his moon-boot for the start of pre-season.
Early mover: Michael Barlow has been a regular at Fremantle Oval over the break, aiming to return from a broken leg in the first round of the NAB Cup. There will be plenty of interest in how the midfielder fares when the summer program starts.
NAB Cup opener: February 13 v Hawthorn and West Coast at Patersons Stadium

GEELONG CATS
Resume training: Thursday, November 18
Snapshot: New senior coach Chris Scott has been quick to put his stamp on the Cats by advising the senior players there will be no repeat of the longer break they enjoyed in recent years. Scott is expected to put his men through a punishing pre-season as he tries to prevent the Cats from slipping down the ladder in 2011.
Medical room: Dashing defender David Wojcinski and much-improved midfielder Travis Varcoe will be eased into pre-season training as both played for Australia in the recent International Rules Series against Ireland. Wojcinski missed the first meeting with the Irish after rolling his ankle, but he recovered to take part in the second match.
Early mover: Given he played just one final and then failed in his quest to be traded to another club, things were looking grim for ruckman Mark Blake. But a change of coach might just signal a change in fortunes for the much-maligned big man. "Mark Blake is a critical part of what we're trying to do," Chris Scott recently told the Geelong Advertiser. "I think he has a lot of improvement in him, there's no doubt about that."
NAB Cup opener: February 20 v North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs at Skilled Stadium

GOLD COAST
Resumed training: Monday, October 18
Snapshot: Several of Gold Coast's younger, contracted players had an early return while the remainder of its squad resumed on November 1. The Suns' experienced recruits will make a staggered return, with Gary Ablett and Josh Fraser yet to hit the track. The players are also likely to go on a short camp just before the Christmas break, where they will undergo testing and conditioning but address their expectations for 2011.
Medical room: Nathan Krakouer (groin) and Jarrod Harbrow (shoulder) are both in rehab, with the former Western Bulldog hoping to graduate to a full program in the new year. David Swallow had some minor clean-up work done on a hip. He is in rehab but is looking fit.
Early movers: The profiles of Maverick Weller, Brandon Matera and Luke Russell will all grow next season. They have hit the ground running after a strong finish to the 2010 season.
NAB Cup opener: February 19 v Team GWS and Sydney Swans at Blacktown Olympic Park

HAWTHORN
Resumed training: Monday, October 25
Snapshot: First- and second-year players will be joined by the rest of the group on Monday, November 1. A four- to five-day training camp in New Zealand is planned for the end of November.
Medical room: Rick Ladson is still recovering from post-season surgery and will be on a modified program until Christmas. Luke Lowden is on a slightly modified program as the club takes pains to ensure his young, tall frame isn't overburdened. Riley Milne is overcoming a stress fracture in his foot and is also on a modified program.
Early movers: Clinton Young is primed for his first full pre-season in two years, as is luckless ruckman Max Bailey who was pushing to play late in the 2010 season, but was held over so he could get a clear run now. Josh Gibson is also in full training after an interrupted year.
NAB Cup opener: February 13 v West Coast and Fremantle at Patersons Stadium

MELBOURNE
Resumed training: Wednesday, November 3
Snapshot: The Dees played a game against Brisbane Lions in Shanghai, sothere hasn't been much of a break. Players who stayed in Melbourne were at the club most days. The first- to fourth-year players will be joined by the rest of their teammates on Monday, November 8.
Medical room: Aaron Davey is almost due to start running again after breaking his leg during the year, while Sam Blease (leg) is finally looking right to go after suffering his injury in a 2009 schoolyard clash.
Early mover: Tom Scully is killing it. As professional as they come, he's showing the benefit of having a full AFL season under his belt.
NAB Cup opener: February 11 v Adelaide and Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium

NORTH MELBOURNE
Resumed training: Tuesday, October 26
Snapshot: The Roos returned to work for some brief conditioning before setting off for a pre-season camp in the US. Players left Melbourne on October 29 and are undergoing a bout of altitude training in Utah. The Roos hope the 20-day camp will see their squad bounce into their 2011 campaign.
Medical room: Aaron Black (groin) and Luke Delaney (groin) are the only two players to miss the trip to Utah because of injury concerns and have stayed behind for extra rehab work. A few elder statesmen, including Drew Petrie, have also hung back but the big man will be raring to go when his teammates return.
Early movers: Ryan Bastinac again set the pace when the club returned for its time trial on day one, but the Roos were just as rapt with another of their '09 draft class. Ben Cunnington ran a PB around Princes Park and looms as a far fitter player next season.
NAB Cup opener: February 20 v Geelong Cats and Western Bulldogs at Skilled Stadium

PORT ADELAIDE
Resumed training: Thursday, October 28
Snapshot: Port launched its summer program with three days of physical testing, but the skills sessions have since begun. New development coach Daniel Healy has made a seamless return to the club, while Matthew Nicks is also fitting in well under Matthew Primus. A pre-season camp to the Gold Coast is being planned.
Medical room: Hamish Hartlett (quad) and Steven Salopek (shoulder) have been running for two months, with Salopek one month away from competitive training. Travis Boak (adductor) will be in full training by Christmas, while Brett Ebert (knee) has started running. Jacob Surjan (knee) will be slow to join the main group.
Early mover: Chad Cornes joined the first- to third-year players for day one and is in close to the best pre-season shape of his career. He ran an impressive beep test, as did Daniel and Marlon Motlop.
NAB Cup opener: February 11 v Melbourne and Adelaide at AAMI Stadium

RICHMOND
Resumed training: Wednesday, October 27
Snapshot: Only the first- to third-year players started on the above date, but that's practically the entire list these days at Punt Road. The Tigers have just three 100-game players.
Medical room: Nathan Foley is running well and is on track with his modified program as he comes back from ankle surgery. Ben Griffiths is looking good after shoulder surgery.
Early mover: Trent Cotchin - the king of restricted pre-seasons - is out on the track and coping quite comfortably. Still on a modified program, he's not missing out on too much of the main group's schedule.
NAB Cup opener: February 12 v Carlton and Collingwood at Etihad Stadium

ST KILDA
Resume training: Wednesday, November 24
Snapshot: The entire St Kilda squad trained throughout September, despite the VFL side missing the finals. Given that, and the drawn grand final, the youngest players won't return to the track until November 24. Most of the squad will return the following week. The club won't have a camp before Christmas but may take a short break upon resuming.
Medical room: A few players have had minor surgery although Justin Koschitzke - who battled an ankle injury for much of the season - is probably the most significant. St Kilda doesn't expect too many to be absent from training for too long.
NAB Cup opener: February 18 v Essendon and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium

SYDNEY SWANS
Resume training: Monday, November 8
Snapshot: The first- to third-year players ran a 3km time trial on October 29 and they will be the first to front up on November 8. The fourth- to seventh-year players will return on November 15, followed a week later by the rest of the list. Adam Goodes, Jarrad McVeigh, Kieren Jack and Tadhg Kennelly will have an extended break after playing in the International Rules Series.
Medical room: Ryan O'Keefe underwent groin surgery immediately after the Swans' semi-final defeat, but he is expected to recover in time to complete a solid preparation. Daniel Bradshaw's knee will be carefully monitored throughout the pre-season in a bid to have him fit for round one and not a moment sooner.
Early mover: As usual, rookie Nathan Gordon set the pace in the time trial but forward Lewis Johnston was a big improver, cutting 45 seconds off his time from 12 months ago.
NAB Cup opener: February 19 v Gold Coast and Team GWS at Blacktown Olympic Park

WEST COAST
Resumed training: Monday, November 1
Snapshot: The young Eagles got a shock on day one of pre-season, with one planned 2km time trial quickly turning into two in searing heat. Father-son selection Jacob Brennan has been involved from the start, while delisted wingman Tim Houlihan has been invited to stay on through the summer.
Medical room: After a lengthy rehab period, Daniel Kerr (hamstring) is a couple of weeks away from starting full training, while captain Darren Glass (abdomen) will begin his summer program unhampered. Shoulder surgery will keep Nic Naitanui, Josh Kennedy, Adam Selwood, Beau Waters and Will Schofield out of tackling drills until the new year, but all will have full running programs.
Early mover: Full-forward Callum Wilson was a surprise frontrunner in the opening time trials, returning from his break in top condition. Kennedy is the incumbent at centre half-forward, but a mobile Wilson would offer relief and flexibility in the forward line.
NAB Cup opener: February 13 v Hawthorn and Fremantle at Patersons Stadium

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Resume training: Monday, November 15
Snapshot: After three successive preliminary final appearances, the Bulldogs will return to training with a desire to keep their premiership window open in 2011. New boys Justin Sherman (Brisbane Lions), Patrick Veszpremi (Sydney Swans) and Nathan Djerrkura (Geelong) are keen to prove they are good enough to be regular senior players. The club will head to Queenstown, New Zealand for a pre-season camp.
Medical room: All Australian full-back Brian Lake will ease his way back into training after having post-season surgery to fix the hip and knee problems that restricted him during the finals. Emerging midfielder Callan Ward is in a similar situation after also having surgery to fix a hip complaint.
Early mover: To the relief of everyone at the Bulldogs, Shaun Higgins has finally recovered from the many ailments - ankle and calf injuries and thyroiditis among them - that caused him trouble during the 2010 campaign. Higgins has been tipped to set the training track alight in the lead-up to Christmas.
NAB Cup opener: February 20 v Geelong Cats and North Melbourne at Skilled Stadium

The views in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.