It was back-to-business at Whitten Oval, as the Western Bulldogs coaching staff and playing group returned to the Kennel to commence pre-season preparations for Season 2013.

In full spring sunshine, the playing group took to the training track to complete a running time trial in addition to a light skills session, before heading inside to the Mission Elite Learning Centre to complete benchmark screenings with the physical conditioning and medical staff.

View photographic coverage of the Bulldogs' first training session of the pre-season.

Senior figures Daniel Cross and Dale Morris were welcome figures on the training track, after spending extended periods of 2012 on the sidelines. Morris participated in a modified skills program while Cross was in full flight amongst the leaders in the six minute running time trial.

Trade week recruits Tom Young and Koby Stevens joined the playing group for the first time, while father-son selection Lachie Hunter also completed his first full session as a senior footballer.

Today's training session at Whitten Oval will be the squad's last at the venue for a couple of weeks, with the full squad departing Melbourne on Tuesday, bound for the United Kingdom, to prepare for their Exhibition Match against Port Adelaide at The Oval on November 3.