Danny
07-01-2005, 08:06 PM
Of course all the pre season training stories are floating around at this time of the year and the one surrounding the swan's is a scientific formula. The big guys aren't required to do the long runs anymore, only the midfielders do that now.
I wonder if the forwards and backs will be working hard on their sly shirt grabs and dives for penalties?
Innovation rules with Swans
By Michael Cowley
January 7, 2005
Having gone through it 15 times during his football career, pre-season training should be nothing new to Sydney Swans midfielder Paul Williams. That he detects a certain novelty in this year's preparation might suggest this will be a successful season for his team.
Williams, who made his senior debut in 1991 with Collingwood, admits things have changed significantly - and for the better - when it comes to the pre-season routine.
"The training is a lot more specific now," he said yesterday, having just completed the Swans' second session of 2005.
"We used to do some silly things when I first started [in VFL/AFL]. We would do 400s [metres] carrying medicine balls over our heads ... all sorts of stupid things, but they are a lot more sensible and scientific these days.
"Everyone did everything back then. It didn't matter whether you were five-foot 10 or six-foot 10, you had to do the same thing. It was a lot harder for the bigger guys and they would break down trying to keep up. Now they train specifically to what we need them to do on match day.
"We don't expect guys like Jason Ball and Barry Hall, and the other big guys, to do what the midfielders are doing out there. We've got to make sure that we set up training that is more specific to them and our training is more specific to us. It's a lot smarter way to go about it.
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Advertisement"And variety is a key too. We're often doing something a bit different to get us to think a little bit more, rather than just run or do things robotically.
"I think the beauty about being with the Swans is we have got a lot of different spots where we can go and run and train, and being able to be at Sydney Grammar is a huge plus for us - it's a chance to get away from the club a little bit. And I think keeping the mind healthy makes training a lot easier."
A foot injury and a 51-point semi-final loss to St Kilda signalled the end of 2004 for Williams. Both setbacks he described as very disappointing, particularly after the Swans had "battled through the year with a lot of hiccups" to get to where they did.
Williams will again be a key this year in Sydney's midfield, and the recruitment of former Geelong on-baller David Spriggs will help the Swans in that crucial area.
"Having Spriggsy is definitely another string to our bow and it will help us. You need guys to be able to run pretty hard and Spriggsy ... is definitely going to fill a void in a few areas," Williams said. "But we also will get some natural development from guys like Jarrad McVeigh, Nic Fosdike, Jude Bolton and Luke Ablett, which will be good for the club. We know we've still got to improve ... but things are looking OK."
This season Williams, 31, could add a few more personal milestones to his resume. Having played 275 career games, he could join the 300 club if he stays healthy and on form and the Swans go deep into the finals.
He should also bring up his 100th game in the red and white a little earlier in the season, having clocked up 86 appearances since moving from Collingwood in 2001.
"That will be a huge day for me ... touch wood I get there," Williams said. "I always wanted to make sure that I would be able to give minimum 100 games' service to the club, and to achieve that would be a huge plus for me."
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I wonder if the forwards and backs will be working hard on their sly shirt grabs and dives for penalties?
Innovation rules with Swans
By Michael Cowley
January 7, 2005
Having gone through it 15 times during his football career, pre-season training should be nothing new to Sydney Swans midfielder Paul Williams. That he detects a certain novelty in this year's preparation might suggest this will be a successful season for his team.
Williams, who made his senior debut in 1991 with Collingwood, admits things have changed significantly - and for the better - when it comes to the pre-season routine.
"The training is a lot more specific now," he said yesterday, having just completed the Swans' second session of 2005.
"We used to do some silly things when I first started [in VFL/AFL]. We would do 400s [metres] carrying medicine balls over our heads ... all sorts of stupid things, but they are a lot more sensible and scientific these days.
"Everyone did everything back then. It didn't matter whether you were five-foot 10 or six-foot 10, you had to do the same thing. It was a lot harder for the bigger guys and they would break down trying to keep up. Now they train specifically to what we need them to do on match day.
"We don't expect guys like Jason Ball and Barry Hall, and the other big guys, to do what the midfielders are doing out there. We've got to make sure that we set up training that is more specific to them and our training is more specific to us. It's a lot smarter way to go about it.
Advertisement
Advertisement"And variety is a key too. We're often doing something a bit different to get us to think a little bit more, rather than just run or do things robotically.
"I think the beauty about being with the Swans is we have got a lot of different spots where we can go and run and train, and being able to be at Sydney Grammar is a huge plus for us - it's a chance to get away from the club a little bit. And I think keeping the mind healthy makes training a lot easier."
A foot injury and a 51-point semi-final loss to St Kilda signalled the end of 2004 for Williams. Both setbacks he described as very disappointing, particularly after the Swans had "battled through the year with a lot of hiccups" to get to where they did.
Williams will again be a key this year in Sydney's midfield, and the recruitment of former Geelong on-baller David Spriggs will help the Swans in that crucial area.
"Having Spriggsy is definitely another string to our bow and it will help us. You need guys to be able to run pretty hard and Spriggsy ... is definitely going to fill a void in a few areas," Williams said. "But we also will get some natural development from guys like Jarrad McVeigh, Nic Fosdike, Jude Bolton and Luke Ablett, which will be good for the club. We know we've still got to improve ... but things are looking OK."
This season Williams, 31, could add a few more personal milestones to his resume. Having played 275 career games, he could join the 300 club if he stays healthy and on form and the Swans go deep into the finals.
He should also bring up his 100th game in the red and white a little earlier in the season, having clocked up 86 appearances since moving from Collingwood in 2001.
"That will be a huge day for me ... touch wood I get there," Williams said. "I always wanted to make sure that I would be able to give minimum 100 games' service to the club, and to achieve that would be a huge plus for me."
Top of Page
Page Tools
Email to a friend Printer format Our Advertisers
Rent DVDs Online 30 Day FREE Trial
Receive 5,000 points with ANZ Frequent Flyer Visa
No ATM, cheque or annual fees^. Citibank Ready Credit