The thud of boot on ball, the shrill of a whistle .. those sweet sounds of football rang out in the shadows of the SCG on Monday as players returned for the pre-season.

After making it all the way to the AFL Grand Final this year, Sydney's first-to-four-year players commenced their preparation for season 2023. 

Co-captain Callum Mills, Tom Papley, Sam Reid and Tom Hickey were among some of the senior players who joined the session, ahead of their official return next week. 

It was the first hit out in red and white for new recruit Aaron Francis who was traded to the club from Essendon last month after 54 games with the Bombers. 

Players sweated it out in a two-kilometre time trial first up, with Dylan Stephens setting the pace ahead of Errol Gulden and Corey Warner. 

Check out our gallery below.