Midfielder Bernie Vince says he’ll be out to make a good first impression when the players return for day one of pre-season training under new coach Brenton Sanderson on Monday. 

In addition to his offseason program, Vince has played and trained with the Australian team as part of his involvement with the International Rules series.

Players selected to represent Australia in the two Tests against Ireland are entitled to a late start to pre-season training to compensate for their participation in the series but Vince has dismissed this as an option, saying it was vital all players were present for Sanderson’s first address to the team.

“I spoke to ‘Schwerdty’ (physical performance manager Stephen Schwerdt) about it and I said, ‘I think the first week of pre-season will be pretty important having a new coach, new players, new ideas and probably a new game plan and it’s important everyone is there’,” Vince told afc.com.au.

“It puts pressure on everyone again having a new coach and it’s a good type of pressure because you’ve got to impress.

“First impressions are big, so a lot of guys will be kicking into gear and trying to come back really fit.”

Vince had a trying season in 2011.

After missing a chunk of the pre-season with a knee injury, the 26-year-old struggled to recapture his best and fairest-winning form of 2010 and went back to the SANFL in round six.

He overcame a hamstring strain before being recalled to the team in round 15 and rediscovering form in the latter part of the season.

Vince finished runner-up to skipper Nathan van Berlo in the Showdown Medal voting in round 19 and amassed a season-high 35 possessions and two goals in the loss to Richmond in round 23.

List manager David Noble said the key to the talented onballer’s form resurgence was his work behind the scenes.

“Bernie played some exceptional footy in the last half of the year and the reason why was because he worked his backside off doing extras,” Noble said.

“He knew he was a bit short, coming out of pre-season and made a call quite early in the year that he needed to get back to doing a bit of extra work outside training.

“He did it really quietly and diligently and started to reap the rewards towards the end of the season.

“I think he's worked out the formula as to what he needs to do get those results.”

Vince has continued to work hard during the post-season break.

“We all have offseason programs to follow. I’ve been keeping up with that and have done a few sessions with ‘Bodey’ (fitness coach Matt Bode) as well just to make sure I’m doing everything right,” Vince said.

“I was able to keep up with Bodey, which I guess is a good sign because he’s pretty fit.

“Hopefully, it holds me in good stead when I get back.”

Vince met Sanderson briefly before jetting overseas last month, but is yet to formally meet trade week recruits Brad Crouch, Luke Brown, Lewis Johnston, Tom Lynch and Josh Jenkins.

“I went to Bali for a few days and when I got back it was like we had a whole new team. I had to check the locker to make sure my name was still on there,” he said.

“I think it’s healthy for the team that we’ve got new talent coming in.

“Most of those guys are ready to go and that will put pressure on positions.”

Vince said the players had embraced the changes to both the coaching and playing personnel.

“There have been a lot of changes. It’s exciting and is probably what we needed to freshen up,” he said.

“I think a lot of the guys are thinking the same way and are pretty excited about the whole new concept and are pretty keen to go for 2012.”