St Kilda's 1-4 year players and a number of veterans returned to RSEA Park today for official pre-season training.
A perfect day in Melbourne awaited the Saints on arrival, setting the scene for a picturesque return to the track.
Young guns Max Hall and Darcy Wilson wasted no time getting back in fine form, while Hugo Garcia turned heads with his bulked up physique.
The Irish trio of Liam O'Connell, Eamonn Armstrong and Kobe McDonald all hit the ground running after their stint back home playing Gaelic football, with the latter two eyeing off their first taste of AFL football in 2027.
Among the 5+ year players that returned early included leaders Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Mitch Owens, Marcus Windhager and Mason Wood, while Callum Wilkie, Max King and Sam Flanders put in the hard yards in the gym. New recruit Max Ramsden also joined in on the track for his first session as a Saints player.
West Australian duo Hugh Boxshall and Charlie Banfield joined Hall for extras after the main session, with Boxshall excited to be returning for the pre-season.
"There's a lot of energy around the place," said Boxshall.
"The boys are hungry to get back into it so we're feeling pretty good...I've been keen to get back into it and trying to fill my days.
"I've been working with Campbell Lake a bit getting some sessions in and he's looking pretty good so I'm excited to see what he does this year."
St Kilda will add fresh talent through the AFL draft next Thursday and Friday night, with the draftees and new recruits all joining ahead of the full return to pre-season on November 23.
