We’re going to need everyone fit and ready to roll.

That was the message senior coach Adam Simpson delivered to the Eagles before they departed Mineral Resources Park the day after the club’s round one triumph over Melbourne, according to Liam Duggan.

Speaking to the media via video link today, Duggan revealed that every player on the club’s 43-man list was instructed to return in supreme condition in case they were called upon to lace up the boots when the season gets underway later this year.

The 23-year-old said Simpson and his staff made it clear that anyone could get the call up to play, especially if the AFL implemented a condensed fixture that required teams to play several games per week.

“The big message before we left was we’re going to need everyone this season, especially if it does get to short turnarounds,” Duggan said.

“We’re going to need a full squad to tackle that situation (if it eventuates). There would be a couple of older boys and bigger blokes that (a condensed fixture) could take a toll on, but that’s where the squad mentality and the strength of your squad will show through.”

Duggan had no doubt his teammates would maintain the gains they made before the season was put on hold on March 22.

He said the club’s leaders had set high standards that they expected everyone to follow.

“I think that’s the great thing about our group, that they’re a pretty driven group and it stems down from our leaders,” Duggan said.

“I think we’ve got a pretty responsible group that will come back in great shape.

“We’ve got our programs that have been individualised to meet our specific (needs) and it is the onus of the individual to follow that program. We’ve got full trust in our fitness staff that they will give us the best program to get us right and ready for when we do start back up.”

However Duggan, who has been getting his training done alongside star ruckman Nic Naitanui, admitted the shutdown period had been challenging at times.

He conceded it was hard to maintain focus 100 per cent with so much uncertainty surrounding the season.

“The motivation is there, definitely, but at times it wavers, which is natural I think,” an earnest Duggan said.

“But we’re all keen to get this season underway, so staying fit and healthy is our job and that’s all we can do.”

On the upside, Duggan believed the squad’s bond had strengthened throughout the shutdown period.

He said they were keeping in touch via text messages, video conference calls and gaming platforms.

“I think there have been some great things around connections with other blokes that normally I wouldn’t text or some of the other boys that I wouldn’t contact outside of the footy club and footy hours,” Duggan revealed.

“There’s been somewhat of a greater connection even if we can’t see each other face to face. I think I’ve built some good relationships digitally and virtually. It’s been quite good in that sense.

“Xavier O’Neill is a young bloke, he’s a Victorian obviously, and I get along with him really well at the club, but I ended up texting him the other day and we texted for two days straight talking about all things, random stuff.

“It was just good to have a chat with him and see how he was going back home. It’s little things like that if I was (sic) at the footy club maybe I don’t text him very often. I enjoyed that conversation with him.”