Essendon will have its first competitive hit-out against oppostiion in the NAB Cup round robin competition on Friday night against Brisbane and St Kilda.

Young midfielder Jake Melksham admits the players will find it hard to adapt to the new format.

“I think it will be a little bit stressful for the playing group knowing that you have to come off and then try and keep warm to prevent injury,” Melksham said.

“I noticed Carlton on the weekend doing a lot of exercises to keep warm and they were hitting the pads with the boxing gloves and doing a lot of touch with the balls.”

“I think the main thing is we get our head around how to cope with the break and then go out and play our brand of footy.”

Having impressed in his debut season, Melksham said he is primed to improve again in 2011 and take his game to another level.

“I’m feeling fitter than ever and chomping at the bit to get out there,” Melksham said.

“The ambition and goal for me will be to go one better than last year and keep improving, try and play every game and obviously we want to get a few more wins on the board”  

“It’s been a lot different with all the new coaching staff and learning how they want us to play so I think a lot of it has been getting your head around that and adjusting to the heavier workload,” He said.