MARK Neeld says he was able to take a “little bit” from Melbourne’s first pre-season training session on Monday.

The Demons ran laps at Gosch’s Paddock, under the watchful eye of the new look coaching group.

Highly regarded new elite performance manager Dave Misson was in the thick of the action, as was Neeld, who was able to pick up some traits of the players from their actions.

“I had particular interest to see, when the running got tough - who responded, who was struggling a bit and who might’ve been at the races when they should’ve been training,” the new Melbourne senior coach said.

“First and foremost over pre-season … we’re going to challenge the group.

“We’re going to challenge them mentally and physically. We’re going to challenge them with a new game plan, and we’re going to challenge them with new standards that the new group wants to set.”

Neeld said the coaching group had four months to educate and to continue educating the group.

“One of the things I’ve done is to not get involved with any conversations about what’s gone on before.

“I know how I want them to train and I how I want them to play, and Dave Misson is exactly the same.”

Neeld was also pleased with the 250-plus turnout by the club’s supporters, who watched training in chilly conditions, more akin to a mid-season session. 

“It was really good, and it was good to see the supporters get out and support the players and the new coaching group on day one,” he said. 

“The players are probably the same as the coaches - they might’ve been a little bit nervous and a little bit apprehensive, but they trained OK.”

Neeld also said humorously that he exchanged looks with former colleague and new Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley, who was coaching his charges at the opposite oval at Gosch’s Paddock.

“I had a glance over … I saw Bucks and he tried to stare me down, so I stared him back and we did all that childish stuff, so that was OK,” he said.

“On the first day, we probably got a little bit excited inside and we probably gave them information overload.”

Meanwhile, Neeld said boom recruit Mitch Clark would be “a week or two away” from training with the main group.

“Coming from one program to the next, Dave Misson was just keeping a bit of an eye on Mitch … so there is nothing sinister,” he said.

And forward Liam Jurrah missed the opening training session, as he was caught up in the Northern Territory. 

“That’s because of Qantas, but hopefully when the planes get back in the sky, he can come to training, which will be nice,” he said.