Essendon's pre-season program is gathering momentum with the club playing its first intra-club match at Essendon Grammar last Friday morning.

The second intra-club match will be played at Waverley this Wednesday afternoon, January 19th, starting at 3.30pm.

Fans wishing to watch the Bombers go through their paces will be admitted free.

The signs in the first practice match were good with captain James Hird playing the first half of the match and moving freely.

Hird, played across the half forward line where he had a solid battle with youngster Mark Bolton.

Hird kicked two goals in the first half and moved well enough to suggest his recovery from a foot injury is progressing well.

A number of other players impressed in the match.

Mark Johnson and Adam Ramanauskas were excellent in the mid-field giving their forwards plenty of opportunities.

Of the new recruits, Jonathon Robran was very impressive. He played both forward and back during the course of the match and made significant contributions at both ends of the ground.

John Barnes also got through his first hit-out with the club in good style although he didn't spend a lot of time in the ruck.

The practice match on Wednesday will be the players' main training for this week.

Their next major skills session will be on Janaury, 26 at Essendon Grammar commencing at 4pm.

The players will fly out to Darwin the following day where they will clash with West Coast in the opening round of the Ansett Cup competition.