Essendon recruit Johnny Rayner impressed his new teammates taking out the club’s first 2km time trial of the 2014 pre-season at Princess Park on Thursday.

The club’s first to fourth year players returned to the training track on Wednesday afternoon and took part in their first time trial of the pre-season.

Rayner a former national champion runner came in ahead of Nick O’Brien, new recruit from Greater Western Sydney Kurt Aylett and Alex Browne.

The more experienced pairing of Jake Melksham and Travis Colyer came in behind Browne.

Rayner was pleased with his result following the run.

“It is a bit different running on the gravel instead of the athletics track but it went alright for my first run,” Rayner said.

“Two kilometers is a tricky distance, it is a bit further then the 800 metres that I am used to.”

O’Brien said the first time trial since returning from the off-season break was always a nervous time for the group.

“Everyone gets more nervous ahead of this more so then they do before a game so it is all about getting here doing it and trusting that you have done the work,” O’Brien said.

“As professional footballers you need to be at the top of your game, not necessarily at this point of the year but you still need to be fit.”

Essendon’s senior players will take part in their time trial when they return to training in the next fortnight.