Toots Hibbert
20 Jun 2008, 14:32
Hope this hasn't been posted elsewhere on this board but can't find a thread.
Darren Burgess has maintained that there are no fitness issues at Alberton.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23886742-12428,00.html
The comments come in an article by Zac Milbank which also states that both Troy Chaplin and Dean Brogan argued the side does not have fitness issues and quotes Chaplin saying that the team needs to learn to dig in and fight it's way out of trouble when under the pump.
"He (Darren Burgess) has debunked claims that the side's poor record this year is due in part to fitness issues, suggests that the problem relates to mental application and says Dale Comerford was a good appointee for the club.
PORT Adelaide's floundering season is all centred on mental, not physical, problems.
So says former Power fitness coach Darren Burgess, who left Alberton in January to spearhead the Socceroos' World Cup campaign.
While Port coach Mark Williams claimed his side's lack of fitness has contributed to the club's concerning 4-8 record, Burgess doesn't buy into that argument.
"I'd love to say yes but I don't think so," Burgess, who spent three years with the Power, said.
"I remember vividly in my first year there (2005) we faded out a lot in the last quarter and people were saying fitness this and fitness that.
"Our numbers and information suggested otherwise. I think it's probably more a mental and discipline thing.
"I don't think it's a fitness thing.
"I'm in no real position to comment on what exactly is going on within the club but I certainly wouldn't subscribe to that (fitness)."
Port's fadeouts, particularly in the final term, have been a disaster in 2008. Losses to Brisbane (round four) and Carlton (round 11) at AAMI Stadium - with victory all but sewn up - have had a demoralising impact on the playing group.
But the fact the Power was able to overcome Fremantle, on the wide expanses of Subiaco in round 10, proves the physical conditioning of the playing group is not an issue.
Port defender Troy Chaplin, echoing the sentiments of team-mate Dean Brogan, said the fact Port had a later start to pre-season - due to the grand final - wasn't a factor.
"No, I don't think so," Chaplin said when asked if the fitness level was below par at Port.
"It's been well documented earlier in the year we had guys who were running PB's (personal bests). Guys really worked hard through that eight weeks off and came back as fit as anyone had ever been.
"It think it's more in the head, pushing when things are down.
"When the chips are down it's about getting yourself out of that situation and working hard."
Burgess, who resigned in December, stayed on at Alberton until late January to ensure players' preparations for 2008 were not interrupted.
"We certainly didn't do anything differently in 2008 to what we did in 2007," Burgess explained. "And everybody said in 2007 our fitness was good - so I don't think it's a fitness issue."
With the young but experienced Daniel Comerford now at the fitness helm, Burgess said Port's future was in safe hands.
Comerford has a broad knowledge base, having worked in hockey, rugby union and basketball, as well as clocking up seven seasons in the AFL with Collingwood.
His qualifications are excellent and his experience within football is excellent as well," Burgess said of his successor."I'm not too sure where they're heading in the future but I was part of the committee that interviewed him and his credentials were very good."
Darren Burgess has maintained that there are no fitness issues at Alberton.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23886742-12428,00.html
The comments come in an article by Zac Milbank which also states that both Troy Chaplin and Dean Brogan argued the side does not have fitness issues and quotes Chaplin saying that the team needs to learn to dig in and fight it's way out of trouble when under the pump.
"He (Darren Burgess) has debunked claims that the side's poor record this year is due in part to fitness issues, suggests that the problem relates to mental application and says Dale Comerford was a good appointee for the club.
PORT Adelaide's floundering season is all centred on mental, not physical, problems.
So says former Power fitness coach Darren Burgess, who left Alberton in January to spearhead the Socceroos' World Cup campaign.
While Port coach Mark Williams claimed his side's lack of fitness has contributed to the club's concerning 4-8 record, Burgess doesn't buy into that argument.
"I'd love to say yes but I don't think so," Burgess, who spent three years with the Power, said.
"I remember vividly in my first year there (2005) we faded out a lot in the last quarter and people were saying fitness this and fitness that.
"Our numbers and information suggested otherwise. I think it's probably more a mental and discipline thing.
"I don't think it's a fitness thing.
"I'm in no real position to comment on what exactly is going on within the club but I certainly wouldn't subscribe to that (fitness)."
Port's fadeouts, particularly in the final term, have been a disaster in 2008. Losses to Brisbane (round four) and Carlton (round 11) at AAMI Stadium - with victory all but sewn up - have had a demoralising impact on the playing group.
But the fact the Power was able to overcome Fremantle, on the wide expanses of Subiaco in round 10, proves the physical conditioning of the playing group is not an issue.
Port defender Troy Chaplin, echoing the sentiments of team-mate Dean Brogan, said the fact Port had a later start to pre-season - due to the grand final - wasn't a factor.
"No, I don't think so," Chaplin said when asked if the fitness level was below par at Port.
"It's been well documented earlier in the year we had guys who were running PB's (personal bests). Guys really worked hard through that eight weeks off and came back as fit as anyone had ever been.
"It think it's more in the head, pushing when things are down.
"When the chips are down it's about getting yourself out of that situation and working hard."
Burgess, who resigned in December, stayed on at Alberton until late January to ensure players' preparations for 2008 were not interrupted.
"We certainly didn't do anything differently in 2008 to what we did in 2007," Burgess explained. "And everybody said in 2007 our fitness was good - so I don't think it's a fitness issue."
With the young but experienced Daniel Comerford now at the fitness helm, Burgess said Port's future was in safe hands.
Comerford has a broad knowledge base, having worked in hockey, rugby union and basketball, as well as clocking up seven seasons in the AFL with Collingwood.
His qualifications are excellent and his experience within football is excellent as well," Burgess said of his successor."I'm not too sure where they're heading in the future but I was part of the committee that interviewed him and his credentials were very good."