New Essendon recruit Mathew Stokes is fit and ready for the challenges of another AFL season. 

The two-time premiership winner agreed to terms with the Bombers today. 

“It’s a little bit strange,” he said. 

“I got the phone call a couple of weeks ago to see if the interest was there to keep playing. 

“At the time, it was probably the furthest thing from my mind, but I’m really glad I made the decision. 

“The boys have been great and I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead.” 

Stokes retired at the end of last season after playing 189 games with Geelong.

He is the third former Cat to sign with the Bombers after James Kelly and Jonathan Simpkin joined the Club over the last week.

Stokes has begun training with his new teammates and said his body is feeling good.

“I definitely feel fresh.  Once you retire you don’t think there’s going to be an opportunity like this coming about,” he said.

“It feels pretty good at the moment but I’ve only been back for a couple of sessions.

“I’ve got a lot of work to do before round one… but I’m looking forward to it.”

Stokes said he’s focused on building his strength and fitness ahead of the start of the NAB Challenge.

“When you retire the last thing you want to do is leg weights, so probably just getting the leg weights in to me and getting some strength and being able to run out a whole season,” he said.

“I’ve kept myself reasonably fit over the time… but there’s still a lot of work to be done.

“It should be fun with a young group, a new group.”