They came in two-by-two and were welcomed by a temperature-testing tent, a new normal for the Canberra Raiders as the NRL edges closer to its much-anticipated return.
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It's been more than a month since the Green Machine last trained together as a squad, but there was no welcome home party on their return to Raiders HQ on Monday morning.
The Raiders squad staggered through the temperature-testing tent in groups of two and three, maintaining social distancing protocols as they eagerly entered the training base.
It took about 40 minutes for all players to be tested and club officials were happy with how it was implemented on the first day.
Waiting for them on the other side was a pair of clean shoes and the welcome sight of Raiders boss Don Furner, who was hanging out the window of the new building's second floor to greet players.
Staff, including Furner, have to keep their distance from players and have to navigate the building with a different route to avoid crossing paths with the squad.
Trucks delivered 300 metres of additional fencing to enclose the training paddock, providing an extra layer of security for when the squad starts physical sessions on Wednesday.
It will be the first time they've trained on the field at their new Braddon headquaters, having received the green light from ACT chief health officer Kerryn Coleman on Monday morning.
"It'll be fantastic to look outside this facility and see them training on the oval, which is what it's there for," Furner said.
"That's something we're all looking forward to and I know the players are eager to get back to training and using this wonderful facility.
"We appreciate the cooperation we've had with the government and their understanding."
Furner provided Coleman with the Raiders' protocol proposal and the NRL's biosecurity measures document last week. He said the government is pleased with what they've put in place but there's still concerns about using the indoor gymnasium.
"They were primarily happy, there's just some questions around our use of the inside gymnasium and I'll be speaking with Dr Coleman on that," Furner said.
"Generally on the surface, they're happy with the steps we've put in place so it's pleasing to get that.
"Having the written rules is one thing but making sure we stick by them is another, and that's what we're here to do."
Players were educated on the strict protocols in a biosecurity briefing on Monday, as part of the league's measures ahead of the competition's resumption on May 28.
Clubs have agreed to let players implement any domestic changes on Tuesday, before squad sessions resume the following day.
Training will be limited to groups of 10 and contact is banned until restrictions are reviewed later this week.