Lions Assistant Coach Adrian Fletcher says the ‘cotton wool’ has been taken off the players at training in a bid to make them more match-ready.

In the first official Vero pre-season update for 2013, Fletcher told LIONS TV that the focus at training has shifted to include more competitive drills and match preparation.  

“Going into the season, you need a healthy list…and most sessions we’ve had 38 guys train,” Fletcher said.  

“We’ve done that through being smart with our training regime. We’ve done the pattern work, now we’ve come into the contested work.”

“We’re sort of taking the cotton wool off and letting them compete like on game day. That’s how you simulate game pressure.”

“In three weeks’ time, we’ll have an opposition, so we’re in that phase right now.”

“But wholly and solely we’re working towards Round One and playing against the Bulldogs at Etihad.”  

While things have gotten pretty heated at times between players on the track lately, Fletcher sees that as a positive sign towards greater competition for positions in the senior side.

“There’s a spot up for grabs,” Fletcher said.

“We want to make sure that people understand that we’ve really got 32 players to pick from this year.”

“Then you add the young players in (the mix). And we’ll play our younger players at times to make sure they get a taste of AFL footy.”