James Stewart has noticed some subtle differences in how his new Club goes about its pre-season program.

After four seasons with GWS, the 22-year-old joined Essendon in October in exchange for pick 77.

“It is a little bit different – I feel like we’re doing more ball work, more specific football drills rather than high loads of running,” he said two months into his first pre-season as an Essendon player.

“We’re getting a lot of that running load in during football specific drills. 

“It’s good to get that ball movement stuff and the footy in your hands a bit more this time of year.

“Overall, it’s a really driven group and the weights, which is something I enjoy, is quite similar – obviously a different program – but super professional (and) I’ve loved being a part of it." 

Stewart’s assimilation into his new home was fast-tracked by a pre-season camp at a Navy training base in Cerberus.

“We were put into four teams so I was in the ‘red’ team led by the likes of Zach Merrett and ‘Hep’ (Dyson Heppell) so it was good to spend a lot of time through activities and in your dorms on that camp,” he said.

Stewart played 18 games with the Giants.

He kicked 15 goals from 13 games in 2015 and will add to the Bombers key forward options.

“I’m really enjoying being back in Melbourne and at the Club here,” Stewart said.

“I’ve had a good block of training, probably on my first day I was a little bit at sea in such a new environment. 

“I knew a couple (of teammates) coming in, but the majority of the group I didn’t know and they’ve welcomed me with open arms and I’ve really loved the block of training I’ve done to date. 

“Everyone in that forward group is really hard working and has brought a real appetite to learn so we’re really feeding ideas off each other. 

“Obviously for me coming into a new forward line with new structures and things to learn, I’ve had to pick up those things really quickly and I’m still doing so.

‘I’m just trying to pick the brains of everyone there and there are a lot of good people and experienced players to do that from.”