Australian Football League stars have traded their holiday relaxation for intense training drills, returning to club facilities across the country for the first official pre-season sessions of 2026. The post-Christmas training block commenced this week, with players from multiple clubs enduring sweltering summer conditions as they begin the long road to Opening Round.
Clubs Hit the Track in Summer Heat
Nine AFL clubs welcomed back their playing groups on Tuesday, January 8, 2026, marking a significant ramp-up in preparations for the upcoming season. The clubs confirmed to be training included Adelaide, Brisbane, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Melbourne, Richmond, Hawthorn, GWS, and Sydney. Players faced a gruelling combination of skill work and conditioning under a fierce Australian summer sun, with temperatures soaring across various training bases.
Demons and Tigers Lead the Early Charge
At the Melbourne Demons' Casey Fields base, a contingent of key players were among the first to report for duty. Brody Mihocek, Caleb Windsor, Jacob Van Rooyen, Daniel Turner, and Jack Henderson were pictured arriving, with the club sharing the moment on social media with the hashtag #DemonSpirit.
Meanwhile, at Punt Road Oval, a blend of youth and experience characterised Richmond's return. A host of young Tigers, including Luke Trainor, Rhyan Mansell, Tyler Sonsie, Sam Grlj, and Josh Smillie, descended on the facility. They were joined by seasoned veteran and midfielder Tim Taranto, providing leadership on the first day back.
Hawks Show Off New Training Digs
The Hawthorn Football Club offered fans a glimpse into their Day 1 at the new Dingley facility. The Hawks' social media team focused on the physical condition of the players, showcasing their readiness after the break with a simple but effective "we back" message to supporters.
This return to training signals the end of the festive break and the start of a critical period for all 18 AFL clubs. With the 2026 premiership campaign now firmly on the horizon, every running lap, every skills drill, and every team meeting held in this scorching pre-season will form the foundation for success later in the year. The physical and tactical workloads are set to increase steadily as clubs build towards practice matches and, ultimately, the first bounce of the new season.
