Why we'll be better for longer next year

[Brown26]

but still fall short.

This year we had a change in training regime which basically meant training harder and longer and - I believe - resulted in the spate of soft tissue injuries we had. In 2012 Essendon - through Robinson - instituted a similar thing and had the same affect. It's not just the injuries but the players looked tired in the second half of the season, us in 2014 and them in 2012.

In 2012, the Dons were flying high in round 9 second on the ladder, only to lose 8 of their last 13 games and finish 11th. In 2014, we were 4th in round 12 before losing 8 of our last 11 to finish 11th.

In 2013, Essendon still has a few soft tissue injuries but not as many. They were off the peptides at this stage and their football improved, they seemed to be fitter and running better and were 2nd in round 17 before losing 4 of their last 5 games to finish 7th (but be relegated to 9th with the drugs sanctions). Of course this year they were much more even and improved their ladder position in the second half of the year.

We'll see a similar thing I think - same hard training but our bodies will be used to it (or more used to it) so we'll have less injuries and be fitter for longer - but we'll probably still tire at the end of the season. Hopefully by 2016 everyone is used to the hard training and fit and firing!

It may be that 2014 was the season we had to have (and the injuries we had to have) in order to get the team up to a fitness base where we can run with the likes of Port, Essendon etc. and take the next step. I hope so!!

- Ben

[winpies]

I hope you are right. Another season of soft tissue injuries would have to raise serious doubts about our training style and methods.

[BazBoy]

Hope all the kids get a good pre season and the fitness / player management bods
can balance their workload to have them fit & firing at the buisness end of 2015
I have faith that 2015 will be good
We are exploring outside fitness assistance which I hope works

[HAL]

Why specifically do you hope for all the kids get a good pre season and the fitness player management bods can balance their workload to have them fit firing at the buisness end of 2015 he or she have faith that 2015 will be good We exploring fitness assistance which he or she hope works are exploring?

[BazBoy]

For team sucsess

[BazBoy]

For team sucsess

[yin-YANG]

[BazBoy]

Thanks--I think

[yin-YANG]

I think we will do a lot better next year with our talls in particular. They are a young bunch or in the case of the forwards - Cloke and White - getting used to each other and will do a lot better with Reid available also!

I can't see many players on our list who can't improve for next year - Swan is an oldie but had a shocker, with H and Dwyer the only guys I would think might not do better...

Not every young player will necessarily improve, some will be struck down by injuries, but still the output will be better I believe across the field - the unknown factor is the improvement of other teams.

[BazBoy]

Two talls in particular grabbed my attention one being Jarrod Witts and the other Cory Gault.
Witts improved as the season went on and for a kid who grew up playing different codes before embracing AFL --things I liked was his increasing awareness of the game and some of his goal assists were encouraging.
Young Cory got his first taste of AFL against very good team and took a strong mark , went back and slotted a goal and later a nice one off the ground
Hope Cory gets more game time and continues to improve
Go Pies ☆☆☆☆☆☆

[stui magpie]

Cialis in the Powerade?

[Darkstranger]

Simply put we need bigger bodies! Gym, Gym, Gym, Gym, Gym!

[Nick - Pie Man]

You know, there are pills that you can buy online that will make our fellas stronger, harder and last longer.

[E]

[yin-YANG]

Totally agree E - there would be some gym, general training, including skills and fitness the guys do together but each player should have their own unique/tailored program at this level of footy!