ELITE performance manager Dave Misson says youngsters Alex Neal-Bullen and Billy Stretch have been among the most impressive performers so far, since returning to pre-season training.

A week and a half on since most of the players returned from their off-season break, Misson said the duo had worked hard over their break.

“Alex Neal-Bullen won our time-trial last week, and like he did last pre-season, he made a real effort in the off-season to make a statement, which I think he has,” he told melbournefc.com.au.  

“Billy Stretch is probably not far behind him, so the two South Australian boys have certainly done the right thing over the off-season and have set themselves up for a good pre-season.”

Misson said the club would really “launch” into pre-season next week, when all players are back.   

“These first two weeks are a bit of an abbreviated program with the younger guys – we’re just making sure we’re getting a bit of kicking in their legs and they’re doing a solid dose of running,” he said.

“From next week, we go into a full-on program, with education and rotation stuff in the afternoon, so it’ll be good to have the whole group back.”

Misson said the first to four year players had returned in “pretty good” shape.

“They’ve come back in OK shape – some that we would’ve liked to have come back a bit better and there are some we are pleasantly surprised with,” he said.  

Misson said a simple, but effective pre-season program had been implemented up until Christmas.

“It’s really just meat and potatoes – we’re doing three pretty decent sessions each week, both on the ground and in the gym,” he said.

“In between, there is a bit of off legs conditioning and some upper body weights. There is a lot of education and a lot of development and growth work.

“We’re giving them the weekends off and we’re ready to go the following Monday. Our weeks are pretty standard, but we’re looking forward to having the whole group back and getting stuck into it.”

Dave Misson’s November pre-season update

Lochie Filipovic: Lochie is pretty close to running flat out, coming back into the group [after a hip flexor injury suffered in the 2017 season].

Dean Kent: Kenty, with his shoulder, has been able to do a fair bit of running work, but still needs to improve that strength and range in his shoulder.

Tom McDonald: He did some agility work on Tuesday, so he’s probably likely to join in the football program before Christmas, which would be good. Touch wood, he’s looking really good [after having surgery on both ankles on separate occasions].

Pat McKenna: Patty’s going well. He’s up to 90 per cent. He’s still working in and around some things on his hamstring.

Joel Smith: Joel is doing some really good work, on and off the track. He’s improved his strength work, in and around that knee.

Tim Smith: He had his first run out on the grass on Monday, so he’s done a fair bit of work with that foot and a fair bit of work on the AlterG treadmill. He’ll run again Friday. He’s pulled up well, so we’re pretty excited that the rehab is going according to plan. Hopefully he’ll be out towards the end of January, early February training with the group.

Aaron vandenBerg: Vanders has been a little bit slow since that [heel] surgery. We’re just trying to improve his range in that ankle and get his calf strength up. He’s started running on the AlterG treadmill on Monday.

Jack Viney: Jack’s away at the moment. He came in last week and did a little bit of work. He’s still got to work on getting his range in that ankle back. We’re not going to rush him back into football work. We’ve got plenty of time and we just want to make sure we get it right and get some miles into his legs before he starts football.