AFL pre-season: Players burning up the track

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AFL pre-season: Players burning up the track

There were some obvious candidates who burned up the track during the annual summer time trials, but also some unlikely types pushing their cause. Check out who stood out at your club.

The eternal pre-season challenge for AFL players lies in the ‘hybrid build’.

How can you get strong and explosive while simultaneously building your aerobic engine?

As former club fitness boss David Buttifant explains, it’s the question that earns high-performance chiefs their dough.

Too much endurance work could compromise a player’s power, but beefing up only to fail to run out four quarters would be equally damaging, he says.

It’s the delicate balance AFL clubs are trying to strike this summer.

Buttifant was Collingwood’s sports science director from 2000-2013, Carlton’s high performance manager from 2013-15 and now leads his own business called Resilience Builders, where he works with individuals and corporates.

He says the key lies in understanding what type of player the club is trying to develop.

“You really think about what type of player that player is going to be, how they are going to add value to our team, and it’s being specific and prescriptive. That’s the craft of the coaches and high performance team working together,” Buttifant said.

“You could say, ‘We’re prepared to compromise his 2km time trial because we want him to have those explosive characteristics — change position, have strength’.

“You can drop five kilos to run a sub six-minute 2km, but you compromise your speed and ability to push off your opponent.”

For one-rep max efforts, the strongest players in the gym bench press more than 150kg, and squat and deadlift 200kg-plus, Buttifant said.

Such lifts are typically achieved by the big full-forwards and ruckmen. Levi Casboult was one under Buttifant’s tutelage, as was Chris Tarrant before him.

However, some players’ genetics are such that they can push those hefty numbers in the gym while also testing the six-minute barrier on the 2km time trial.

“Some of these guys are probably only 85kg, but powerful. They’re pretty phenomenal athletes, the jack of all trades. They’re a hybrid athlete – they’re not like an NFL player (anaerobic focused), or a 1500m runner (aerobic),” Buttifant said, citing Dane Swan as a prime example.

“He was probably around 91-92 kg, but he could do that (weight) and run a strong 2km,” he said of Brownlow medallist Swan.

“Charlie Curnow, he’d be a fair athlete. Tim Taranto, he’d be a good athlete too. Every club has (strong hybrid performers).”

These days, clubs are secretive over the numbers players are pushing in the gym and achieving in time trials amid the threat of competitors gaining inside knowledge.

But with pre-season to ramp up in January, News Corp has compiled a list of each club’s key early performers in the gym and on the running track.

ADELAIDE

Running

The Crows are again preparing under the renowned Darren Burgess and opted for a 4x1km time trial for first-to-fourth years, with running beast Chayce Jones winning it ahead of big man Riley Thilthorpe. Lachie Sholl, Brodie Smith and Wayne Milera have also looked strong.

In the gym

Rory Sloane has been mostly in the gym as he builds strength back in his legs following a knee reconstruction, however has emerged from some running drills in the early stages of pre-season. The Crows’ other star Rory — Laird — is in “ripping nick”, according to fitness boss Burgess.

BRISBANE

Running

Endurance specialist Harry Sharp took out the 3km time trial, leading the group from start to finish. Hugh McCluggage finished second, with Zac Bailey next spot on the podium.

In the gym

Captain Dayne Zorko has been spending extra time in the weights room as he looks to put a nagging achilles issue behind him. Cam Rayner continues to look thick as the 2017 no. 1 pick eyes another improved season.

CARLTON

Running

Matt Cottrell and draftees, particularly Ollie Hollands — who broke six minutes in the combine 2km time trial — and first-year wingman Jaxon Binns have impressed with quick times on the track.

In the gym

The club says Cottrell has piled on five kilograms, while Jacob Weitering has also been working hard in the gym after an injury-interrupted season. Corey Durdin (shoulder) and Matthew Kennedy (foot) successfully rehabbed their respective injuries to return to training.

COLLINGWOOD

Running

Who else but Nick Daicos? The precocious Pie dominated the 2km time trial when the first-to-fourth years returned. However, he left the training track the following week with what assistant coach Hayden Skipworth said was Achilles soreness. Isaac Quaynor was the strongest performer in a yoyo style running drill in the same session. Draftee Jakob Ryan’s flowing mullet was on show during his own impressive running efforts, while recruit Tom Mitchell was often up the front.

In the gym

Quaynor’s running prowess is made more impressive by his frame, which he seems to keep adding size to. Dan McStay has also put his big physique on show after arriving from Brisbane, which sets him up for what shapes as a pack-crashing role up forward. Club legend Scott Pendlebury keeps looking thicker in the twilight of his illustrious career.

ESSENDON

Running

Star defender Mason Redman won the 2km time trial, ahead of Jake Kelly and Will Snelling. Redman shot up in 2022 to become one of the league’s best rebounders and clearly isn’t slowing down. Massimo D’Ambrosio is relishing the chance to get fitter, saying in December “I need a pre-season … I felt a bit unfit”.

In the gym

Fringe pair Nick Bryan (ruck) and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (defender) both looked beefed up ahead of bids to crack the best 22, while Nic Martin also focused on adding weight after a stellar debut year.

FREMANTLE

Running

Surprise: Andrew Brayshaw won all four of Fremantle’s 1km time trials. He claimed the first three of them with ease, before mature-aged recruit Corey Wagner pushed him on the fourth. Travis Colyer, Ethan Hughes and Lachie Schultz were other contenders.

In the gym

Liam Henry has put “a few kilos on” as he eyes the wing spot left vacant by Blake Acres, who departed to Carlton. Recruit Jaeger O’Meara has shown the Dockers he is a “pro” in the gym, coach Justin Longmuir said.

GEELONG

Running

Draftee Osca Riccardi has been shadowing Max Holmes in the early stages of pre-season and it’s no surprise given both are supreme track athletes. The Cats have been quiet after winning the premiership but Mark Blicavs is traditionally the one to beat. He’ll likely be pushed by Irishman Mark O’Connor through the summer.

In the gym

Tanner Bruhn wasted no time hitting the gym when he arrived at the club from GWS, while young trio Ollie Dempsey, Mitch Knevitt and Toby Conway all put in early weights work.

To be continued

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GOLD COAST

Running

Oskar Faulkhead won the club’s 2km time trial for first-to-fourth years, with Noah Anderson, Jeremy Sharp, Elijah Hollands and James Tistas rounding out the top five. Sam Flanders, Jack Lukosius and Alex Davies, described as a ‘complete package’, have also been strong performers.

In the gym

Ben King is said to be raring to go in his ACL comeback and looks stronger than ever after the year-long rehab. Wil Powell, who broke his ankle and sustained ligament damage last season, is also pushing impressive weight, the club said.

GWS GIANTS

Running

Time trial record holder Cooper Hamilton led the way when the first-to-fourth years returned for a 2km test. He broke the Giants’ club record for the event last year and recorded the second fastest-ever combine time in his draft year. Xavier O’Halloran joked that he was “unwell” following the run after finishing one of the stronger performers.

In the gym

Isaac Cumming appears to have added some muscle, while Toby Greene and Callan Ward are always strong gym performers. Aaron Cadman wasted no time hitting the weights after arriving at the club at pick no.1.

HAWTHORN

Running

Draftee Josh Weddle has come in firing on the track, while Connor MacDonald and Fergus Greene led the runners when the first-to-fourth years returned.

In the gym

Emerson Jeka has been squatting the heaviest of any Hawk, Max Lynch is the bench press king and Connor Nash has started pre-season as the deadlifts leader.

MELBOURNE

Running

The Demons have been secretive about their time trial results, but Tom Sparrow, Lachie Hunter and James Jordon were pitted against road runners Ed Langdon and Alex Neal-Bullen in the breakaway group during the club’s first 2km test. Sparrow has flown under the radar given the status of midfielders ahead of him in the pecking order, but with Melbourne coaches discussing increased on-ball rotation for 2023 he could be putting his hand up for more minutes as a follower.

In the gym

Kysaiah Pickett clearly beefed up over the off-season and assistant coach Alan Richardson confirmed it was part of his program as the Dees assess their midfield rotation options. He could be one to watch for the odd five-minute burst after stacking on more muscle.

NORTH MELBOURNE

Running

The Kangaroos cracked into a 1.8km shuttle run, with Jy Simpkin leading the way ahead of Daniel Howe and Luke McDonald. Perhaps most impressive, though, was veteran 34-year-old ruckman Todd Goldstein, who came in fourth despite weighing around 15kg heavier than the top three. Jackson Archer won the first-to-fourth years 2km time trial earlier in the pre-season.

In the gym

Jackson Archer looks visibly bigger, complementing his 2km time trial win with some added weights work. Paul Curtis, Tom Powell, Will Phillips and Luke Davies-Uniacke also appeared thicker as the Roos’ young brigade vie to put an end to their wanted status as league pushovers.

PORT ADELAIDE

Running

The Power brought in Olympic triathlete Courtney Atkinson for a session on their pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast, and he said he was left impressed by the playing group’s fitness. Players clocked more than 50km over the six-day camp.

In the gym

The evergreen Travis Boak took best-and-fairest Connor Rozee, along with Zak Butters, Mitch Georgiades and Ryan Burton to the US post-season to work under renowned fitness guru Austin Einhorn, who specialises in body efficiency and injury prevention. Boak has committed to the style of training for several years and still appears at the peak of his powers even though he will turn 35 next season.

RICHMOND

Running

Tim Taranto made a strong first impression on his new teammates by winning the 2km time trial with low six-minute pace ahead of hard-runner Kamdyn McIntosh. Dustin Martin improved from a slow start to finish mid-field.

In the gym

Jack Ross and Rhyan Mansell were both nominated by teammate Noah Cumberland as the players pushing big numbers in the gym. The Tigers brought in Marcus Krygger from St Kilda as a new strength coach.

ST KILDA

Running

Endurance king Mason Wood claimed the Saints’ 3km time trial, holding off a late challenge from rising midfield weapon Marcus Windhager. Brad Hill, Dan Butler and Ryan Byrnes rounded out the top five.

In the gym

Windhager looked bigger out on the track and spends plenty of time in the Saints’ Moorabbin gym along with Mitch Owens. One insider said Owens “even looks taller”. Meanwhile, Brad Crouch is the fittest he’s ever been, according to Seb Ross.

SYDNEY

Running

Dylan Stephens set the pace in the Swans’ 2km time trial for first-to-fourth years, followed by Errol Gulden and Corey Warner.

In the gym

Isaac Heeney looks in good shape on the track, as do Tom Papley and Luke Parker. Stephens even appears to have bulked up despite reaching new heights aerobically.

WEST COAST

Running

The Eagles’ 2km time trial was won by veteran Jamie Cripps, ahead of midfielders Greg Clark and Jai Culley in an impressive effort. Oscar Allen, Jeremy McGovern, Tom Cole and Elliot Yeo are all back running in returns from injury-ravaged campaigns. Yeo is “hitting good speeds” in running, according to football boss Gavin Bell.

In the gym

Several West Coast players took to Bali for a health and fitness retreat, apparently skipping the party scene for yoga retreats and meditation. Among them were Jake Waterman, Alex Witherden, Connor West and prized second-year prospect Campbell Chesser.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Running

Toby McLean, Lachie McNeil, Robbie McComb and Riley Garcia were standout endurance performers on the first-to-fourth year return in late November.

In the gym

A handful of Bulldogs featuring Marcus Bontempelli, Rhylee West, Caleb Daniel, Hayden Crozier and Aaron Naughton took to San Diego for a post-season training camp, where they engaged in both gym work and running drills. Jamarra Ugle-Hagan looks to have added some more size, while Liam Jones doesn’t appear to have lost any despite his year out of the elite-level programs.