“Mate, I’d forgotten how bloody hot it gets here in summer,” Dorn said after a gruelling 90-minute session at Coronation Oval on Tuesday. “It’s been a lot of years since I’ve trained in heat like this.”

“After getting through this I’m looking forward to a big year with the Pickers.”

Dorn, 34, has returned to Maitland after more than a decade plying his trade in the English Super League.

The accumulated fitness of his record-breaking career kicked in as he kept pace with his younger teammates in a series of sprints.

Backs Lachlan Preston and Josh Morrison led the way, with slimmed down second-rower Pat Robards hot on their heals.

Pickers fans will also be delighted to see forward Jacob Sinclair on the track for what he is hoping will be a full pre-season.

Pickers coach Trevor Ott says fans can expect a more attacking game from the Pickers this season.