MELBOURNE returned to Gosch’s Paddock on Friday for its first training session since the Christmas break, but veteran Nathan Jones received some attention on the track.

Jones completed some light skills work away from the main training group, before getting some treatment from the physiotherapist behind his right knee and upper calf region.

The 31-year-old was able to finish the session running laps on the sidelines with Adam Tomlinson.

The former captain was part of the rehabilitation group with Tomlinson, Charlie Spargo, Harley Bennell, Oskar Baker and Mitch Hannan.

PLAY AFL FANTASY Click here to pre-register and receive our early announcements

Tomlinson was restricted to walking laps before the break but managed to complete all skills work and running on Friday.

Baker completed laps by himself for the most part.

Earlier, the Demons completed their first 3km time trial for the year, with Alex Neal-Bullen, Toby Bedford and Corey Wagner rounding out the top three.

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Midfielder Angus Brayshaw said the entire playing group looked in good shape after the Christmas break.

"It was good – we saw a lot of guys run better times than their first day of pre-season," he told Melbourne Media.

The 24-year-old said he enjoyed a well-earned rest in Perth with his brothers and the rest of his family.

"It's not as much time off the training stuff, but just to get away from the club and catch up with family and friends is really good for me," he said.

2019'S BIGGEST STORIES We count down the top 50 stories of the year 5-1

"I've got all my family in Perth – my brothers live over there – so we got back and swam in the beach. The Perth beaches are a nice change up to Melbourne beaches.

"So it was good to get away and have a bit of a break, but also really good to be back and getting stuck into it in the lead-up to round one."