Superb athlete Nathan van Berlo has maintained his dominance in Adelaide’s endurance testing, taking out the five-minute run on Max Basheer Reserve on Monday.
The gruelling run marked the return of the full squad for the 2014 pre-season, with the more senior Crows joining their 1-4-year teammates on the track. Young players Mitch Grigg and Lewis Johnston also returned on Monday after being granted later starts because of their involvement in the SANFL Grand Final.
Grigg, 20, led the field at the halfway-mark of the senior group’s run, but van Berlo powered home to finish ahead of Patrick Dangerfield, David Mackay, Grigg, Rory Sloane and Richard Douglas.
Forward line coach Mark Bickley said van Berlo had covered in excess of 1,600 metres in the designated five-minute period.
“Everyone on the list from the skipper to player No.40 cameback and pushed to do the best they could,” Bickley said.
"We had the standout guys, van Berlo and Dangerfield, at the front but what we did see was everyone get over 1,500 metres even the big ruckmen. There were a lot of guys getting close to personal bests on day one, which is really good."
The 1-4-year players, who completed the testing when they returned to training on November 6, weren’t required to complete the run on Monday.
Check out the photo gallery of Monday’s training session
Taylor Walker (knee), Jared Petrenko (knees) and Ricky Henderson, who is easing back after late-season surgery, didn’t take part in the run. Halfway through his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction, Walker brightened spirits of fans who came out to watch the session by jogging laps.
View the full pre-season injury update
Bickley said Walker had displayed a great attitude on the track.
“It’s impressive the gusto he’s approached his pre-seasonwith," he said.
"We understand it’s a really serious injury and the Club won’t be takingany chances with him, but he looks fantastic and is right on track to where thedoctors want him to be. It’s great for us and the other players get a lot outof it when they see Tex running and kicking. Josh Jenkins is another one who isright on target. It’s pleasing from our point of view.”
Tom Lynch (foot) kicked the footy with the injured trio, while Brent Reilly (shoulder) completed selected non-contact drills.
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