Top Essendon draft pick Sullivan Robey joined in Essendon's drills at a light Bombers training session on Wednesday.
It was a light session for the Dons at a fans day and came after he took part in a running session on Monday.
Robey was not part of any contact drills, but moved well and assimilated in seamlessly, having been part of the rehabilitation group due to a back injury in December.
The forward-midfielder was drafted with Pick 9 of the 2025 draft and viewed as one of the more AFL-ready players due to his build.
His return adds further health to the Bombers' list under new high-performance boss Matt Innes, with the club spared of the injuries that have befallen many of their counterparts.
A (very) light day on the track for Essendon at their fans day, but Sullivan Robey joining in the drills a welcome sight for the 100s that have turned out at the Hangar as he ups his loads.
Top Dons draft pick been part of rehab group so far due to a back injury.@zerohanger pic.twitter.com/GMYUWm4Slt
— Jonty Ralphsmith (@JontyRalphsmith) January 20, 2026
Kyle Langford highlighted the changes that Innes has brought when addressing the media on Wednesday.
“He's been really good, almost a breath of fresh air,” Langford said.
“A bit of change (is) reinvigorating for the program, he brings a massive focus into high-intensity running so the sessions probably aren't as long but they're more intense in high-end running so it's been really good.”
The 29-year-old visited world-renowned Qatar medical facility Aspetar in the off-season, given his history of soft tissue concerns, which has given him confidence entering 2026.
Langford played just nine games due to injury last year, but kicked 94 goals across 2023-24, so will hope to rediscover that sort of form
“It was moreso little things, it wasn't anything major; it was about how my body connects with (itself)...there were minor details I learned that are important in the scheme of things,” Langford said.
“There was a bit of a focus on that and how I can incorporate that into my weekly program.
“It's massive for me mentally as well, over there we were able to assess injuries from last year and the initial hamstring (injury) was a bit of unlucky circumstances, it was a perfect mechanism for a hamstring.
“The quad (injury) was a bit of loading so we learned that as long as I'm in the right program, my body will be fine which gives me a lot of confidence.
New skipper Andrew McGrath has maintained his strong leadership since taking the mantle over from Zach Merrett, with Langford offering insight into his character.
“He's such a connected character, he cares about everyone, whether it's a draftee or one of the older guys, he has such a good relationship with everyone and he's very much relationship-based and caring,” Langford said.
“The way Andy has led the group as vice captain over the last few years is pretty much the exact same as how he's going to skipper us.”
Langford noted 2025 Mid-Season Draft recruit Lachie Blakiston and third-year player Vigo Visentini as players who were looking good on the track ahead of a year where an opportunity awaits following the retirement of Todd Goldstein and the departure of Sam Draper.
He added that he has played a variety of roles in a “flexible” forward line, with Nate Caddy and Isaac Kako part of a young mix that will bear plenty of responsibility in 2026.
“One of the positives of our team is that we have a really flexible forward line and midfield group, so I've been training deep forward, high forward, that high lateral wing-forward,” Langford said.
“I'll be everywhere and all I want to do is win so I don't care about the goals or All Australian squad or anything like that.”
