41 days stand between now and the Gold Coast SUNS' opening NAB challenge fixture against Geelong in Townsville and with a sizeable chunk of the pre-season campaign already digested, assistant coach Ashley Prescott revealed the focus has now turned to match simulation.
Prescott admits the initial stages of evolving into more football-based training rather than conditioning was a challenge, but something the players would prefer given the greater focus on full ground drills and adopting new coach Rodney Eade’s football philosophies.
“It’s certainly a challenging time of year with games a fair way away but we’ve probably gone into a different phase where we’re working on a little more of repetitive effort based training, probably a little less running, a little more football work,” Prescott told reporters on Monday morning at Metricon Stadium.
“So, with that comes its challenges but certainly from a players point of view they really embrace that football element and getting their fitness in those particular drills.”
The former Fremantle and Richmond player joined the SUNS at this time last year following coaching roles at Essendon (2008-2010) and the Dockers (2011-2013).
With the playing list entering their third week back at training following the Christmas interval, Prescott revealed that the coaching group were satisfied with the progression of the playing list.
“A lot of the players, during the Christmas (break) were set some pretty high targets in relation to their skinfolds and fitness levels and the majority of them have really done pretty well,” Prescott said.
“The whole list as a whole is coming along pretty well.”
After being plagued by injury in recent seasons, as well as the reality of youth taking time to deliver, Prescott said that the SUNS forward group hadn’t yet delivered on their enormous potential.
“I think a bit comes down to availability, and probably having a consistent group of players playing in those areas,” Prescott said.
“There’s certainly some very good talent there but talents one of those words isn't it?
“We need consistency of effort, defensive pressure, and hopefully with that sort of attitude, scores will come.”
Training focus shifting as NAB challenge looms
As the NAB challenge series draws nearer, training at Metricon Stadium has begun to transition into more of a game focus according to assistant coach Ashley Prescott.
