PORT ADELAIDE has started on the road to 2017 as the club’s first-to-fourth-year players returned to the track officially for the first time since the end of the 2016 season.

Port midfielder Ollie Wines said the players were excited to get back into pre–season training and for the season ahead.

“We’re as hungry as ever,” said Wines.

“Nothing comes easy, and you have to work to get where you want to be.”

Wines acknowledged while there is less expectation on the players externally, the club’s expectations of the group hadn’t changed.

“There’s always that internal expectations amongst ourselves to really do well,” said Wines.

“We want to be that team we were a few years ago.”

Port’s last finals campaign was in 2014, where the club played in a preliminary final against Hawthorn.

Wines said that the coaches have been busy over the off–season to identify where the team can improve.

“Our kicking and skill efficiency has probably been the main thing that lets us down at times,” said Wines.

“I think once we get our efficiency up to scratch and going the right way, then all of our game comes together.”

“We’ve got the next five months to hopefully work on that, and fix it going into Round 1.”

The training session was also boosted by the notable return of previously suspended players Paddy Ryder and Angus Monfries.

Wines said the club was ecstatic to have Monfries and Ryder back and their return has positively impacted the players and coaches.

“It’s awesome to have them (Ryder and Monfries) back after what they’ve been through,” Wines said.

“They aren’t the only ones with smiles on their faces, Kenny’s got a smile on his face, as well as Burgo [Darren Burgess] and all of the players.”

The club’s full squad will resume pre–season on November 21.