As the temperature climbed over 39 degrees in Sydney’s west on Wednesday morning the GIANTS were put through their paces, with big man Jonny Patton relishing the edge training in the heat will give his side.

It’s always hot on the track at the WestConnex Centre at this time of the year but as the GIANTS build into their third full week of pre-season training before the Christmas break, there was no backing off even as the temperate soared.

“It was a lot of heat,” Patton said straight off the track.

“It was probably one of the hardest sessions we’ve had but it was good.

“Not too many other teams would be training in it so that’s what we’ve got to get out of those sort of sessions, is putting in the hards yards.”

Patton is coming off a career-best season, playing 22 games and tying with Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron as the club’s leading goalkicker with 45 majors.

When asked how he was feeling at this time of year?

“Confident,” he said.

“It was another full season I’ve gotten through so that’s a big positive.

“I’m still just trying to improve each session and especially in this weather at the moment, I think it’s making us all improve not just physically but mentally as well.”

While Patton was relishing training in the heat, there was plenty of preparation to make sure the players got the most out of a two-and-a-half hour session that finished just before lunchtime.

“I got in the car about 5:30am this morning and it was already 29 degrees or something and especially out here in the sun, there’s no too much shade or any wind as well.

“Even last night we expected about 40 degrees so we had heaps of Gatorade and water last night and especially this morning, we’ll probably lose about three or four kilograms during the session.

“I’m glad that’s done.”

With a new season comes new faces and plenty have impressed Patton on the track.

“There’s a really good buzz around the group at the moment and everyone’s enjoying it,” he said.

“Aidan Corr’s been really good, Phil (Davis) has been running really well.

“Even the young boys - Zaccy Langdon’s skills are really impressive for a first-year player and even big Sammy Taylor moves really well for a big fella so kudos to our recruitment team, they’ve brought in some good talent.”

The GIANTS players will have one more big session on Friday before a break over Christmas and New Year, returning to pre-season training on January 8.