STAR Essendon midfielder Dyson Heppell has made his return to the club, saying the group of banned Bombers are "more than ready" to get stuck into their pre-season for 2017.

All banned players, with the exception of Essendon captain Jobe Watson, are permitted to return to their clubs for training and medical assessment on Wednesday, two months before their playing bans expire.

Watson, if he chooses to play on, can return to the Bombers on September 21, with his ban extended because he played in the International Rules Series against Ireland.

Dons sit down with Jobe

Heppell was the second Bomber to arrive at Essendon's headquarters on Wednesday following midfielder David Myers, and said it was a very exciting day after "quite a rough year".

The captain-in-waiting at Essendon acknowledged it as an important moment as the players dealt with sitting out a full season due to the WADA bans.

"It's certainly a step towards that closure and a very big step at that. So it's fantastic that we are able to come back around the football club, get around the boys again, use the facilities and it makes it a lot easier on us for sure," Heppell said. 

"I haven't been here for a while so I'm interested to see what it looks like now and if my locker's still clean."

Heppell said he had struggled with some injuries earlier in his season off but had used the time away from the game to get his body right.

The suspended Bombers will train away from the club until the end of September under the guidance of former Essendon assistant Sean Wellman and ex-Collingwood fitness guru David Buttifant before having October off. They will return to full pre-season training in November alongside the rest of Essendon's playing group.

"At the start of this process we put a plan in place to try and come up with the best people to put around us to have an elite training environment," Heppell said.

Dyson Heppell brings his own footy on his return to the Bombers. Picture: Essendon Football Club
"The training level that we've been holding has been to an AFL standard and we're more than ready to come back and kick off a pre-season. Everyone's in very good condition and very excited to be back."

Earlier, Port Adelaide ruckman Paddy Ryder has wasted no time returning to his club after a full season sidelined because of a doping ban, arriving at Alberton at 12:02am on Wednesday.

All banned players, with the exception of Essendon captain Jobe Watson, are permitted to return to their clubs for training and medical assessment on Wednesday, two months before their playing bans expire.

Watson, if he chooses to play on, can return to the Bombers on September 21, with his ban extended because he played in the International Rules Series against Ireland.

Western Bulldogs forward Stewart Crameri, another banned former Bomber, arrived at the club at 8.45am Melbourne time.

Speaking exclusively to AFL.com.au, Crameri said it felt good to be back.

"I've just had a bit of screening and some physio and going to train tomorrow hopefully, so it's been good," he said, adding that his teammates were "excited to get a fresh face around the club".

Crameri said the hardest part of the ban had been "just not seeing everyone and not being a part of it.

"It's been hard, but great to be back now and the boys are in finals, which is good."

Ryder posted a picture on social media at 12:02am local time on Wednesday, standing at the front of the club and simply stating, "I'M BACK".

St Kilda released a statement on Wednesday morning, saying Jake Carlisle would also return to the club at the first opportunity and meet with football department staff. 

The key position player has recovered from hip surgery and will immediately start work planning his upcoming fitness program.

Football manager Jamie Cox said the Saints had been looking forward to Carlisle's return and the former Bomber had been using his period on the sidelines to develop himself away from the game.  

"Both the club and Jake are excited for his return and we think this period will be the perfect opportunity for him to keep learning about our club and get himself into the best physical condition for day one of pre-season," Cox said.  

"In compliance with ASADA directions, Jake will take part in activities such as training and team meetings allowing him to prepare for his return to playing football once the ban is lifted."

Cox said Carlisle had made a full recovery from his minor hip surgery and had been attending home games and catching up socially with teammates throughout his ban.

Last year Carlisle received a drugs strike after a video emerged of him snorting a white powder.

His resulting two-game club imposed sanction has been served as part of his anti-doping suspension and the Saints said he would be eligible for selection in pre-season games.

There had been no sightings of banned Essendon players at the club's Tullamarine headquarters mid-morning on Wednesday.