WEST Coast's players received a timely boost as they sweltered through oppressive conditions on Monday, with reigning club champion Eric Mackenzie joining his teammates in the main squad for the first time this pre-season.
Mackenzie emerged unscathed through the testing 90-minute session at McGillvray Oval, in a positive sign following post-season hip surgery.
It was a punishing return to action for the Eagles after the Christmas break, with Perth's temperatures soaring to record-breaking levels.
The mercury hovered above 44 degrees in mid-afternoon – the hottest January day in 24 years - after it had peaked at about 40 degrees as the Eagles wound up their morning session.
Aside from full-back Mackenzie, there was more good news on the injury front with Matt Rosa (torn pectoral) also joining the main group for part of the session.
Meanwhile, fellow midfielder Sharrod Wellingham (knee) is expected to be back in full training this week and tough defender Beau Waters is continuing his progress from multiple shoulder setbacks
Although the Eagles' injury list is beginning to dwindle, a host of key players remain on modified programs.
Ruckman Callum Sinclair (broken finger), Elliot Yeo (hand) and Jeremy McGovern (hip) continued their recovery programs, while Scott Selwood (foot) and Jack Darling (foot) only walked laps.
With the 2015 season looming, new captain Shannon Hurn told The West Australian that West Coast's gruelling pre-season regime would be crucial to the side's hopes of returning to the finals this year.
The Eagles finished ninth last season but failed to beat any of the top-eight teams.
"Footy nowadays is more about, through pre-season, training under fatigue and being able to make decisions under fatigue," Hurn said.
"You watch all those finals games and it will always be the case forever - the team that can do the basics and can make the best decisions at the right times when you're tired and towards the end of the game, I reckon they are the ones who will win the majority of the time.
"That's what we've been working on and I think we've been going quite well. It's about who doesn't really lose their nerve.
"If you have a group of players who are cool and calm when the heat is on, I think you're a good chance of winning.
"It would be disappointing if we didn't (play finals) because our core group is a very good group. I certainly believe that we can."
