The Brisbane Lions officially commenced their 2012 pre-season training campaign this morning with a punishing 3km time-trial at the University of Queensland.

Niall McKeever and Cheynee Stiller again led the way in the time trial, along with elite endurance runner Richard Newell who - after spending two years as a NSW/ACT Scholarship Player - is now eligible to be drafted by the Club in either of the upcoming AFL National or Rookie Drafts.

But just like the first day of a new school year, all players returned looking fit and fresh from their two-month break - housemates Brent Staker and Pat Karnezis even sporting new shorter hairstyles.

Senior Coach Michael Voss will address the media at the end of the session, before the Lions shift pre-season training to the Sunshine Coast where the squad will be based for the remainder of the week.

Captain Jonathan Brown will also speak publicly later this afternoon from Noosa.

Lions fans should keep posted to lions.com.au - as well as the Club’s official Facebook and Twitter pages - for regular updates on the team’s pre-season training camp during the week.