With the news of new government social distancing regulations a few weeks back came the decision to shutdown the Lions’ head office and training facility at The Gabba and with it the daily routine the team would normally work within.  

As a result the playing group and coaching staff have had to be flexible and agile in their approach to keeping the team at the level they need to be at for a return to football when it is safe to do so, both physically and mentally.  

Alex Witherden made the decision to stay in Brisbane during the shutdown period for this reason, amongst others, and has spent the last 3 weeks trying to better himself as a footballer.  

“I’ve been training a fair bit - running Monday, Wednesday and Friday and we have a gym set up at Eric Hipwood’s so trying to get there every second day to complete my weights program” he said.  

He has also been playing competitive tennis against Jarryd Lyons, and while Lyons has him covered - just, the games help to curb the boys’ natural appetite for competition.  

“There’s a bit of a tennis culture going at the Club with a few boys, like Harris Andrews and Ryan Lester, taking part” he said. 

“It’s good for your hand-eye coordination and changing direction but you can’t really do it in season so it’s nice to be able to have a go now.  

“It’s another avenue to get the competitive juices flowing, test yourself and test your skills.”  

From a mental point of view Witherden has taken a leaf out of Senior Coach Chris Fagan’s book.  

“Fages has been ringing staff and players once a week and I’m doing something similar with some of the boys and staff that have been stood down” He said. 

“I draw energy from other people and helping other people, so I’ve been calling them regularly just for a 10-15 minute phone call and check in.” 

The focus on training and making his calls has become Witherden’s weekly routine and this has helped to keep him focused and motivated.  

“It’s easy to fall into the mindset ‘I can do this or that later” but we’ve been really big on keeping a routine and still basing our week around training.” He said 

“Having routine is key – it helps with sleep to get up and go to bed at the same time and the training keeps the endorphins up. 

“We’re treating this as an opportunity for us to improve and not go backwards so we can attack the 13 or 14 week block that we’ll have when we go back. 

“There still has to be a premier this year, so why not make it us.”