The opening round of the NAB Cup series is less than a month away and the West Coast Eagles players have the competitive scent in their nostrils, if the intensity of training today is any indicator.

Back at Patersons Stadium in the last week – having trained off-site at McGillivray Oval previously – the instinctive nature of today’s session was impressive.

PHOTOS: For action-packed snaps from the training track, click here

As has been the case right through the off-season program, the accent was on skill execution and there is little doubt there has been strong improvement in that area.

Some of the younger players have also been integrated into the match simulation drills, while “new” acquisitions like Elliot Yeo and Xavier Ellis continue to impress.

The club’s first round NAB Challenge match is Tuesday, February 18 at Joondalup Arena against Fremantle and nine days later the Eagles will combat Sydney at Blacktown International Sports Park.

The players continue to build their fitness reserves while working on their skills, but they also know competitive action is just around the corner.

Everything they have done through this searching off-season program has been about preparing for the start of the season and the NAB Challenge is an important step towards that target.

Under new senior coach Adam Simpson and his coaching team, all players are on the same level, competing for a place in the starting line-up for the opening of the season proper and early form will certainly aid that objective.