With the JLT Community Series now underway, players will shift their focus from the rigorous weights and running sessions that characterise pre-season training.
On the other side of the fence, fans will get to see the results of their favourite players' dedication over summer - not only in terms of performance, but also with how they look.
The transformation in players from one season to another can sometimes be pronounced.
Brisbane Lions High Performance Manager Damien Austin said the results of a hard pre-season slog were evident in the Lions’ playing group.
“A number of players have improved their physical capacity over the pre-season,” Austin told lions.com.au.
“Our players enjoy the weights component of training and have really bought into our new strength coach, Brynley Abad’s, philosophies.
“Overall strength development is a major part of developing players resilience to handle the riggers of AFL football weekly, but also yearly.
“We felt this was an area of real improvement for our players and spend considerable time ensuring our players are getting what they need out of their individual program, whether it be strength, injury prevention or metabolic conditioning.”
Josh Schache during the intra-club match. (Photo: David Layden)
The No.2 pick from the 2015 NAB AFL Draft Josh Schache appears bigger and stronger than last season, with Austin attributing the benefits of diet in Schache’s development.
“Josh came back in excellent condition over the off-season, which put him in great position to develop other areas.
“He has continued to develop one of his great attributes, which is his running capacity. What coincides with his attention to developing his physical capacity was his understanding the how’s & why’s of a good diet. Diet plays a big part in how athletes perform and develop & Josh has had seen the benefits of getting the these working in unison.”
Midfielder Tom Rockliff is another player who looks to have hit his goals over the off-season.
Tom Rockliff working hard on the INC pre-season camp in Launceston. (Photo: AFL Media)
“Tom has been very professional in how he has gone about his pre-season to ensure he gets the most out of his body,” said Austin.
“He has been working really hard on developing his running capacity and running efficiency, while also continuing to developing his lower body strengthen in the weights room.
“Tom, like many others have combined a well-planned diet with his training load and emphasis on recovery, to ensure each session counts.”
Austin said a number of players had added bulk to their frames including Daniel McStay and Dayne Beams, along with first year players Alex Witherden, Corey Lyons and Jarrod Berry, but, singled out Harris Andrews and Ben Keays who have added size to their frame while also improving his running capacity.
“Harris and Ben have made increases in all strength measures, such as Squats, RDL, and Bench Press over the pre-season.
“Although quite different body types, they both have made similar gains in strength. Not unlike Josh Schache, both have really made concerted efforts to work on their running capacity over the off-season, which allows us, as coaches, to really develop other areas of their development.
“Both players are very driven and willing to learn what works for them from a training, diet and recovery load.”
Also see: Recovery Report
