FOR THE 10 sides that missed the finals this year, the campaign to rebound in 2016 began on Monday.

It was time-trial galore across the AFL as the clubs' first-to-fourth players returned to training after a well-earned break.

St Kilda's players felt the brunt of Melbourne's Monday heat, which reached a high of 33 degrees, forced to run a 2km trial immediately after completing a 3km run.

New recruit Jack Carlisle didn't run, but was forced through a tough session as he looks to rebuild respect following his controversial arrival at the club.

Jack Newnes took out the Saints’ 3km trial, from Seb Ross and Josh Saunders.

After yet another season to forget, Carlton's young players began arriving at the club from 6.30am on Monday for new coach Brendon Bolton's first training session.

While it was the first opportunity for new recruits Liam Sumner, Sam Kerridge and Jed Lamb to meet their new teammates, it was also the first chance for the rest of the club's refreshed coaching group of Neil Craig, Shane Watson, Tim Clarke and Dale Amos to speak to the young group.

Lamb was the squad's best performer in the cardio testing, which included 40m and 150m sprints.

Across town it was Jack Crisp who took out Collingwood's 2km time trial.

Jamie Elliot, Tim Broomhead and former Greater Western Sydney defender Tim Golds were also impressive on day one.

Crisp led early and held on to set the tone for what he would hope will prove a huge pre-season after a terrific debut season with the Magpies.


Essendon's most inexperienced players had their fitness assessed and enjoyed some light ball work, but will run a time trial on Tuesday before heading to the Northern Territory.

There they will combine a training camp with community engagement.

In Geelong, the Cats started their pre-season much earlier than in recent seasons having missed the finals for the first time since 2006.

Teenager Darcy Lang insisted every player on the club's list had to lift next year to see it return to the top end of the ladder.

The Cats combined skills and running on day one.

In Queensland, Gold Coast young gun Kade Kolodjashnij took out the Suns' 2km time trial at Metricon Stadium, ahead of Alex Sexton and Touk Miller.


Fewer than 15 players trained on Monday, reflecting the Suns’ matured age profile.

After the time trial the payers blew out any cobwebs with some ball work before being sent to the gym for the first of countless summer weights sessions.

Slightly south, Brisbane Lions coach Justin Leppitsch urged the club's one-to-four-year players to use the next two weeks to get a head start on their more senior players.

In Sydney, Josh Kelly was never headed in the Giants' 3km test, leading from start to finish ahead of Lachie Whitfield and Jake Barrett.

The club's fifth-year players, including star forward Jeremy Cameron and other guns Devon Smith, Dylan Shiel and Stephen Coniglio will return to training on Saturday.

Running machine Kane Mitchell was the clear winner of Port Adelaide's 3km trial.

Mitchell was delisted by the Power this year but has been promised a spot on the club's rookie list for next year.

The 25-year-old said his run was made easier by the absence of retired veteran Kane Cornes, who was the club's undisputed time-trial king.

Key Defender Tom Clurey finished second, while Sam Colquhoun, Karl Amon and Ollie Wines also ran well.

In encouraging news for Melbourne fans, Christian Petracca returned to the training track after having his debut season wiped out when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Petracca was drafted at No.2 in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft and if fit is expected to push for a spot in the starting 22 in round one next year. He is still, however, on a restricted program and trained away from the main group.

Gutsy 21-year-old mid Jack Viney was a standout. He was joined by senior players Tom McDonald and Colin Garland who returned from their break early to take part in the younger players' session.

The new faces in the group were former Giant Tom Bugg, ex-Pie Ben Kennedy and the son of high-flyer Shaun Smith, Joel. Joel Smith took time out from football to play basketball but has returned to the game as a Category B rookie for Melbourne