Collingwood's Heath Shaw is hoping to return from the club's high-altitude camp in Arizona fitter, stronger and better prepared for the new season, and with a new team-mate in Luke Ball.

Speaking at Melbourne airport before departing for the two-week camp, Shaw conceded that while his fitness goals are entirely achievable, Ball's recruitment would depend on whether rival clubs are prepared to select the 25-year-old ahead of Collingwood's first pick - No.30 overall - in Thursday's national draft.

The chances are at least one, most likely Melbourne, will, but it hasn't stopped Shaw from hoping.

"It's out of our hands," said Shaw of Ball who had hoped to cross to Collingwood during trade week.

"On Thursday I'm sure we'll be getting a few text messages to see what happens but there's 16 other clubs that would want his services."

"He's obviously a quality player, he's been around the traps for a while and he's been the captain of his former club, so he would definitely bring a lot of experience to the club."

Among the Collingwood party which flew out for Los Angeles on Monday morning were senior coach Mick Malthouse - for whom the club's football manager Geoff Walsh will deputise at Thursday's draft - and new assistant Nathan Buckley.

Several players including Travis Cloke and club captain Nick Maxwell are already in the United States while several others, including Josh Fraser, Leon Davis, Harry O'Brien and Paul Medhurst won't be travelling because of family and rehab issues.

Shaw said the Pies are looking forward to being based at the elite training facility at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff for this, the club's fourth pre-season trip to Arizona in the past years.

"It's something we look forward to because it breaks up the pre-season to get over to America for a couple of weeks - it breaks up that long struggle before Christmas time," he said.

"You live in each other's pockets for 16 about days, you get to know each other a lot more and you get on each other's nerves a bit more as well, but it's a good bonding experience."

Shaw said the highlight of the club's camp would be a trek to the 4000-metre summit of Mount Humphreys, Arizona's highest peak.

"You want to get the most out of yourself fitness-wise and what you do in Arizona for two weeks is like four weeks training here."

"This is the start of our pre-season and we want to get ourselves as fit as we can before Christmas and leading into the games in February.

"Arizona has worked for us and we've had good result from going there."