It’s still October but some of North Melbourne’s upcoming stars have already returned for pre-season training.

All 1st, 2nd and 3rd year players were summoned back to Arden Street recently for a quick meeting before gathering at Princess Park for a time trial.

“We were pretty happy with the results. It’s fair to say all of the boys have kept in good shape during their holidays,” strength and conditioning coach Paul Turk told kangaroos.com.au.

Nathan Grima, Alan Obst and Matty Campbell finished top three and showed dramatic improvements on last year’s results.

“For Matty in particular, this was a promising day. It’s the first time that he’s finished in the top three which is extremely pleasing,” Turk added.

In other results Robbie Tarrant shed around 40 seconds off the time he set during this stage last year while Ben Ross and Todd Goldstein joined him by clocking times well under the 12 minute mark. Leigh Adams also set a cracking pace and smashed his previous best time for the first week.

“It’s important now for all these guys to continue to push for better times each week.”

On Monday the majority of the squad returns for a time trial minus the North Ballarat representatives and Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie and Brady Rawlings.

“It will be interesting to see who has been keeping fit and who has let themselves go. Of course the battle for supremacy on the running track will also heat up with Lachlan Hansen, Nathan Grima and Levi Greenwood all way out in front last year.”

The entire playing list will return on November 2 for its first session under new coach Brad Scott.