Crows back on the run
Adelaide players lost the first official sweat of the pre-season when their holiday was broken by a fitness test at the University ovals on Friday afternoon
Adelaide players lost the first official sweat of the pre-season when their holiday was broken by a fitness test at the University ovals on Friday afternoon.Skinfold tests, a three kilometre time trial and then the Goodwin Run – a tough shuttle run named after the star Crows midfielder - were on the menu for most Crows.Absent were Graham Johncock, who is Ireland with the Australian International Rules squad, Andrew McLeod, Matthew Bode and Ken McGregor (away on holidays), and Nathan Bassett and Scott Stevens, who did the tests in the morning.Ben Hudson, Michael Doughty and Kris Massie worked on the bikes while Brett Burton, Bernie Vince and Trent Hentschel (knee) watched the session.Physical Performance Manager Stephen Schwerdt said the fitness tests were used to get the group together and give the players “a feel” for their condition.“The results aren’t so important,” Schwerdt said. “The main benefit is to give players a gauge of where they are at and then they can adjust training as required.”Nathan van Berlo was the clear leader in the 3km trial, running a 10.15. Next over the line were Robert Shirley, Simon Goodwin and Brent Reilly.van Berlo also was the last man standing in the shuttle run.Schwerdt said the players were required to return to full training ready to start football sessions. “They have to maintain some endurance during the break so they are ready to go,” he said.Schwerdt, who revealed the club had appointed Kris Hinck, from the Victorian Institute of Sport, as the new rehabilitation and weights coach, said there would not be major changes to the pre-season program.“There will be some tweaking but it will be much the same,” he said.The first and second year Crows players return to training on Thursday, November 16, followed a week later by the rest of the squad.