Too many people worry. This having to be fit at the start of pre-season is a nonsense, that is what pre-season is actually for - to get fit for the games.
Depends what you mean by fit. You don't need them ready for round 1 in December but it is pretty crucial to be fit and healthy to get a full pre-season program in more often than not, especially when you are young.
Each time you complete a strong pre-season you increase your capacity to go further next time, so getting training years under your belt is critical to unlock elite fitness. In most cases you need 4-6 training years to be able to hit best of the best levels
If Sonsie is unable to complete pre-season again, he is already two training years behind his peers and the work is starting to pile up.