About 3000 Essendon members turned out at Colonial Stadium tonight to watch the Bombers have their first training run at Colonial Stadium.

The Essendon players were put through a searching 90-minute session which included plenty of goal-kicking practice in the unfamiliar surroundings.

Most importantly, the playing surface passed the test with flying colors and it's all systems go for the club's round one clash with Port Adelaide this Thursday night.

Essendon assistant coach Robert Shaw said the venue lived up to everybody's expectations.

"While there is obviously some cosmetic work to be done outside the ground, the inside is fantastic," Shaw said.

"The surface stood up very well considering it has only recently been laid and it will only be a matter of time until it is classed as one of the great stadiums of the world.

"It is going to be great to get into the real thing this Thursday and supporters will love this place."

Former English soccer champion Peter Beardsley was at Colonial Stadium to watch the Bombers train.

"This stadium is as good as any I have seen," Beardsley said. He also met the Essendon coaching panel during the night.

The players arrived at Colonial Stadium about 90 minutes before hitting the training track.

The were given time to have a look around the change rooms and ammenities before being spoken to by club chief executive Peter Jackson.