Despite not being able to take full advantage of the Arizona trip as a result of some off-season surgery, new recruit Jackson Paine has gained valuable time with his new teammates while in America.
“I’m loving getting around the boys at the moment,” Paine said
“I’ve had a shoulder reconstruction over the break, so bit restricted there, so its disappointing for me that I can’t get amongst the boys in terms of physically out on the training track.”
“But we’re going out for dinner tonight and things like that you know; they’ve been really welcoming and I feel really comfortable with them, so it’s been really good.”
While Paine is unable to run because of his injury, there have been other ways for the tall forward to maintain his fitness.
“I’m doing a lot of work on the bikes and a lot of work through my legs and the upper body, as yet, is pretty restricted.”
“So, it’s sort of just working with what you’ve got and there is still a lot of things you are able to do despite that pretty serious injury.”
Paine praised the culture at the Club and the support that he has received while dealing with the move from home as well as his injury.
“There’s a really good culture here of, you know, guys that understand what you’re going through in terms of moving away from home and things like that, so there’s a really good bond between players for that reason,” Paine said.
Paine’s also commented on his roommate while over in Arizona, who will likely spend a lot of time with Paine while on the training track, as well as off it.
“My roommate, Jas, Justin Clark has been great; he is a very intelligent man, so I’ve enjoyed picking his brains about all sorts of things that aren’t necessarily footy.”
“He’s a very interesting guy and he’s been good to room with,”