Embarking on your first ever AFL pre-season can be a daunting task, particularly given the considerable lift in intensity from junior or State training levels.

With a few weeks of pre-season training now under their belts, lions.com.au spoke exclusively with a selection of the Club’s first year players to find out how they have found the transition.

Patrick Wearden

I’m starting to get used to it now and am loving it.

I still pinch myself to think that this is my job. I wake up in the morning and spend the day getting fit, doing weights and running around in nice weather.

But it was tough at the start. I’ve pretty much gone from doing one or two light training sessions per week (with the Murray Bushrangers TAC Cup side), to doing regular 3km time trials followed by 100m sprints!

It’s obviously a lot harder than anything I experienced before, but I’m really enjoying it.

Jack Crisp

It’s certainly more full on than I’m used to and you don’t get too many days off.

The early morning starts are new for me. Back when I was playing in the country, we used to train in the afternoon. So I’m just adapting to that and slowly getting used to it which is good.

We’re also generally around the Club all day. We’ll usually train in the morning, have weights in the afternoon, and do some educational sessions as well.

The Saturday morning running sessions have probably been the hardest part. We did one recently that was pretty tough on the legs. I’m still recovering from that.

Elliott Yeo

The intensity of training has definitely been a big step up. It came as a bit of a shock initially, even though I was kind of expecting it.

We also had a training camp just before Christmas which was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life.

Justin Clarke

There is a huge difference in the intensity and professionalism. Everything is done perfectly, and with maximum intensity - whether it’s to do with training or your recovery. There’s no skimping on any aspect.

Just doing a warm-up drill with the Lions is the equivalent of a flat-chat full-ground exercise in country football.

Dayne Zorko

The intensity and work levels have certainly gone up a notch.

For me, the running side hasn’t really changed that much - we seemed to pick up a lot in that area last year at Broadbeach.

But while the running components are about the same, the intensity around the drills is a massive step up.

Stephen Wrigley

The first week of training was certainly an eye opener and I was pretty sore. My legs were very tired.

After that it has gotten easier and easier, other than probably the camp we had just before Christmas.

I think my results in the 3km time trials reflect that. I’ve been able to knock a little bit of time off there.

You find yourself just getting fitter and more used to recovering after each session. But the intensity is just so different to anything else I’ve experienced.