Having weathered the physical and mental challenges of seven seasons and 122 senior matches of football at the highest level, Andrew Carrazzo is eminently qualified to cast judgment on the level of intensity of this pre-season campaign.

Embodying the club’s well-worn motto “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano” - “a healthy mind in a healthy body” - a svelte Carrazzo thought long and hard of the demands of the period following yesterday’s gruelling 150-minute session of endurance testing, grappling and skills - the first for the New Year at Visy Park.

So did the 2010/11 pre-season rate as the most intense?

“Yeah, I’ve thought about that,” Carrazzo responded. “I’m not sure whether, maybe as you get older they feel harder or they actually are harder, but this pre-season’s definitely been really hard - probably the most challenging mentally and physically I’ve had.

“At the moment everyone’s just worrying about their personal condition, trying to be as fit as they possibly can, and get their minds and their bodies in the best possible condition . . . everyone’s just trying to do their best at the moment. [But] everyone’s in really good nick, so there’s no excuses for us.”

According to Carrazzo, a sense of urgency also prevails amongst the group, given the lingering pain of last September’s narrow first elimination final loss to Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

“Speaking to a few of the boys, that loss to Sydney in the final definitely hurt . . . we felt like we were so close but we still realise we’ve got a long way to go if we’re going to challenge finals again and top four hopefully,” he said.

“We’ve definitely got the talent there and the application’s there, so there’s no reason why we can’t.”

All Carlton senior players bar Chris Judd, who returns from his honeymoon tomorrow, were on hand for the first training session of the New Year.

Follow Tony De Bolfo on Twitter @CFC_debolfo