A TIME trial under a scorching South Australian sun has kicked off Port Adelaide's 2016 campaign on Monday morning.
 
The club's first-to-fourth-year players trained on Adelaide University's grounds, with most completing the 3km trial before a short skills session.
 
Jared Polec, Brendon Ah Chee and Jarman Impey didn't race, but trained separately, as did the more experienced duo of Hamish Hartlett and Alipate Carlile.
 
The mercury tipped 30 degrees by the time the players set off and it was of little surprise that the recently delisted Kane Mitchell led the group over the finish line.
 
Mitchell, second only to retired midfielder Kane Cornes in recent years as the club's premier runner, was a clear winner, finishing in just under 9min 40sec.
 
Key defender Tom Clurey was second, followed by Sam Colquhoun, Karl Amon, Ollie Wines and recruit Jimmy Toumpas.
 
Mitchell was delisted this season but has been promised a spot on back rookie list by coach Ken Hinkley.

 

 
It will be familiar territory for the 25-year-old, who was initially drafted by the Power as a rookie in 2012 before working his way onto the senior list this year.
 
"Ken's given me his word – he's a pretty honest guy so I trust him," Mitchell said.
 
"In an ideal world you'd still be on the main list but I'm still here.
 
"I've been there before and I know you've got to work just as hard on the rookie list as you do on the main list so it doesn't really change too much for me.
 
"I know in myself that I can do it, I did it the first two years I was here."
 
His 2015 season ruined by wrist and shoulder injuries, Wines appeared in great shape during his first session since his shoulder reconstruction in August.
 
Wines was a key component in Port's stunning 2014 season and his absence this year was obvious through the side's midfield.
 
Mitchell tipped the strong midfielder to lift next year.
 
"Ollie's a freak, he's just a big bull and can run as well," he said.
 
"I'm glad his shoulder's good and his wrist is all good, so he's hit the ground running and he's hopefully turned into a bit more of a leader this year.
 
"[He'll] take it to the next level."

Young star Chad Wingard missed the session as he remains stuck in Bali due to the volcanic ash cloud.