A high intensity training session at Whitten Oval today has given players a taste of the weeks to come, as pre-season shifts into a new gear.

Assistant Coach Steven King said the skills laden session marks the beginning of a solid block of training in the lead up to NAB Cup.

“Everyone has come back well in one piece and refreshed to tackle the year,” King said.

“The main aim for the first week back for us was probably just injury prevention a little bit but Friday is a 50 minute session of football so that will sort of ramp things up and the next month will be fairly solid.”

The Western Bulldogs take on Collingwood and Essendon in the Round 1 NAB Cup duel on Friday 15 February 2013.