All 18 clubs have checked in for the 2026 pre-season, with last year’s finalists still staggering through.

At the beginning of summer, high-performance staff schedule aerobic testing to assess the players’ baseline fitness, getting an understanding of who’s been working since the completion of the season.

From 3km runs to Bronco testing, the assessments vary among the clubs, but ultimately put the players through their paces.

Sydney was one of the first to reveal their best runners in a set 2km time trial at Centennial Park (November 10), before moving into skills and running blocks.

Youngster Caiden Cleary was crowned as this year’s aerobic specialist, narrowly pipping Corey Warner and Riley Bice.

2K TIME TRIAL RESULTS! 🏃 (1-4 years)

🥇 Caiden Cleary
🥈 Corey Warner
🥉 Riley Bice

Presented by @Bulova pic.twitter.com/BK1m0Vyp7m

— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) November 10, 2025

However, following the return of the entire club, veteran and rookie Jake Lloyd took the mantle for the best runner on Monday, November 24, finishing ahead of Isaac Heeney and Hayden McLean.

St Kilda extended their testing to 3km, with Darcy Wilson making it three from three in impressive fashion.

Brad Hill and Marcus Windhager followed Wilson, while Hugo Garcia and Tobie Travaglia were noted performers.

Western Bulldogs also underwent the gruesome assessment, with Luke Kennedy taking the chocolates at Whitten Oval. Joel Freijah and Ryley Sanders rounded out the top three.

North Melbourne winger Dylan Stephens took out the title at Arden Street in their 2km trial.

Griffin Logue and Luke McDonald finished on the podium, while Colby McKercher and Harry Sheezel completed the top five.

Tom Powell, Zac Banch, Cooper Trembath, Bailey Scott and River Stevens were also impressive.

PB season.

📰: https://t.co/MoQlheBjat pic.twitter.com/Cdrw7DHU84

— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) November 24, 2025

Gold Coast Academy graduate Leo Lombard has been putting in the work during the off-season, as shown in his 2km time trial.

The assessment, held at Griffith University, saw Lombard edge out Sam Clohesy and draftee pair Beau Addinsall and Zeke Uwland, while Will Graham and Jed Walter followed behind.

Collingwood underwent a Bronco test, which is similar to shuttle runs, and sees participants run 1.2km.

Mid-season draftee Roan Steele dominated the running, taking out the win ahead of Lachie Sullivan and Wil Parker.

Hawthorn draftee Jack Dalton took out the club’s six-minute time trial in the first official session at the Hawks’ new facility in Dingley, adding to his 2km time trial win at this year’s National Combine.

Josh Weddle, Josh Ward, and Finn Maginness were among the other top finishers for the run.

Mason Redman wins the 2km time trial for Essendon’s senior players. Xavier Duursma and Andy McGrath round out the top 3.

Dyson Sharp the quickest of the draftees – finishing around 6th place. @7AFL @7NewsMelbourne

— Xander McGuire (@XanderMcGuire7) November 23, 2025

Essendon leader Mason Redman also took out the club’s endurance test, topping Xavier Duursma, Andre McGrath and recruit Brayden Fiorini.