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Ford Fairlane
21 Dec 2005, 06:21
....with 'world's best practice' (are we allowed to say that, or is it just reserved for the crowies ... ? ;) )

Best in world science for Port of future
By RICHARD EARLE
21dec05

PORT ADELAIDE has turned copy-cat killer.

Tired of rivals cloning innovative training practices, the Power has indulged in a visionary, global sports science "swap meet".

Fitness mentor Darren Burgess has traded secrets with English Premier League clubs, development guru Brenton Sanderson, interviewed NFL legends Joe Montana and Emmitt Smith, while assistant coach Phil Walsh has scoured America's professional sports organisations.

Alberton will undergo a transition in body and soul - both basic and complex.

Former Olyroos fitness guru Burgess believes Port will establish an advantage in three distinct areas this season; analysis, speed/agility and player feedback.

"Liverpool played 76 games last year and to monitor those matches is pretty crucial. They are very advanced," said Burgess, who also caught up with Everton's Tim Cahill while in England.

"Their match and player analysis from a game point of view is better than anything in the world and it's the most expensive.

"They can monitor individual training and game loads - who has done too much - who hasn't done enough."

Well-connected Burgess was embraced at Anfield, Fulham and welcomed into the inner sanctum of Aston Villa manager David O'Leary.

As a result, Port has rare, classified player movement technology on order.

"The thing they are better at than any other sport is speed and agility," Burgess said.

"They use little toys and gizmos which were pretty high tech. The reaction time and decision making drills I was able to witness will be excellent in the period after Christmas.

"There are five (tools). One I can reveal is Aston Villa's timing lights system.

"Different coloured lights go off with players making a quick decision which light and direction to follow."

Burgess said Rafael Benitez' Liverpool was pioneering brilliant analysis methods - particularly through video feedback.

"Liverpool was very impressive in the way their coaches analyse the game," he said.

"They have very high profile players and the way they handle that situation, especially negative things, is different to AFL clubs.

"It was interesting to see how the most highly paid coaches in the world go about the feedback on their $60m players when they do something wrong in a game."

Sanderson said the Power had tapped into a unique feedback strategy, noticed by Walsh while visiting NFL side, New York Giants.

"We now video tape each training session and have feedback as soon as that session is finished," said Sanderson.

"The coaches will run through certain plays and use it as a teaching tool - show them what they have done right or wrong, rather than tell them."

Sanderson is employing respect-based tactics suggested by Montana and Smith, saying: "The rookies are in charge of the kitchen, and picking up equipment off the track after training, doing their time."

Williams has eagerly embraced the watershed data gleaned by his scouts.

"We have already set up some information exchanges next season so Choco can get over and have a look for himself," said Burgess.

Macca19
21 Dec 2005, 06:34
Pretty interesting. Whether it gives us an advantage or not I dunno

portentous
21 Dec 2005, 07:31
Yay we finally got electricity down there! :)

Toots Hibbert
21 Dec 2005, 07:59
The flag is in the bag.

Seriously if we have picked up something that will give us a real advantage you'd hope we were keeping schtum about it. It does sound like we've got a team with it's thinking caps on which has to be good.

Ford Fairlane
21 Dec 2005, 09:03
It's interesting too the things you hear from unlikely sources. I was watching Dragon's Den the other night (it's non-ratings, what can I say?). But an ex Collingwood player was on making a pitch for $ to market a sprinting device he'd inevented (basically an elastic harness on a framework with a sprung floor) which improved sprinting technique without the punishment on joints (bit like the pic of Stewie Dew running around pulling a weights plate behind him, but without associated damage). he mentioned he'd sold some units to several AFL clubs already, including Port Adelaide.

Crow
21 Dec 2005, 09:14
i dont think following lights is going to help your overall footballing and decision making ability.

Ford Fairlane
21 Dec 2005, 09:20
i dont think following lights is going to help your overall footballing and decision making ability.

Yes, and that's why international sporting organisations worth 100s of millions of pounds invest in this technology. Because they like to waste their time and money.

Toots Hibbert
21 Dec 2005, 09:29
i dont think following lights is going to help your overall footballing and decision making ability.
On your bike, General Havelock or Rooch or whatever. :p

Crow
21 Dec 2005, 09:49
Yes, and that's why international sporting organisations worth 100s of millions of pounds invest in this technology. Because they like to waste their time and money.
i do spose you guys havent got that 'shotgun approach' to spending money that we do at west lakes.

that must mean its guaranteed to work :thumbsu: .

spice18
21 Dec 2005, 10:01
Bottom line is the guys seem to be working hard to get the edge - that's always been the Port Adelaide way. We can only hold our breaths and hope that this translates to some meaningful advantage onfield. Im personally happy with the off-field coaching team we have assembled, good mix and very keen by the sounds of it. Would be interesting to attend the training sessions after xmas. Roll on 2006 I say...

Crow
21 Dec 2005, 10:04
Bottom line is the guys seem to be working hard to get the edge - that's always been the Port Adelaide way. We can only hold our breaths and hope that this translates to some meaningful advantage onfield. Im personally happy with the off-field coaching team we have assembled, good mix and very keen by the sounds of it. Would be interesting to attend the training sessions after xmas. Roll on 2006 I say...
i would hardly say its a specific port adelaide trait.

spice18
21 Dec 2005, 10:08
i would hardly say its a specific port adelaide trait.

Thanks editor. how about contributing your own original thoughts instead of just ambushing other people's lines. Its posters like you that make some forum discussions lose focus. If you have something done at the crows that you know IS the crows way, share it :confused:

spice18
21 Dec 2005, 10:12
i would hardly say its a specific port adelaide trait.

We may not get it right all the time, BUT we are always striving to be the best. You can make your own judgement, but that is not to say you are correct. And if there are other clubs that have that trait good on them for it can only lay the foundation for better success.

Crow
21 Dec 2005, 10:13
Thanks editor. how about contributing your own original thoughts instead of just ambushing other people's lines. Its posters like you that make some forum discussions lose focus. If you have something done at the crows that you know IS the crows way, share it :confused:
well apparently we are the shotgun way. so what does that make port adelaide...the sniper way?? ;)

Crow
21 Dec 2005, 10:14
We may not get it right all the time, BUT we are always striving to be the best. You can make your own judgement, but that is not to say you are correct. And if there are other clubs that have that trait good on them for it can only lay the foundation for better success.
lol, yes spicey, there are other clubs in the AFL!!

comradekane_02
21 Dec 2005, 11:57
lol, yes spicey, there are other clubs in the AFL!!

There is only 1 as far as I'm concerned.

spice18
21 Dec 2005, 12:18
lol, yes spicey, there are other clubs in the AFL!!

Shane Warne is a spin king, I think you would be a spin wizard. Take the full context and you see the difference between what you are trying to insinuate and what I mean mate