ALAN Didak and Heath Shaw

[Stifler's mom]

• ALAN Didak and Heath Shaw will be trying for the rest of their careers to earn back the respect of teammates, according to vice-captain Josh Fraser.

Didak and Shaw were suspended and fined after the pair’s well-documented drink-driving car smash and then an attempted cover-up in August.

But while both players have been training the house down during the pre-season – at the club’s pre-season camp at Arizona and at Gosch’s Paddock – Fraser told Melbourne radio SEN today that both had work to do off the field.

“We all know they can play the game of footy,” Fraser said.

“It’s not so much winning the respect back on the footy field.

“I think it’s the way they conduct themselves away from the field.

“That’s not going to be this year, that’s going to be for the rest of their careers.

“The boys are going to be under the microscope a little bit.

“So far they’re both training really well and we expect big years from them.”

Fraser said the success stories of the pre-season were Sean Rusling and Chris Dawes.

Rusling, 21, has managed just 17 games for the Pies since being drafted with pick No.23 in the 2004 AFL draft due to shoulder injuries.

But Fraser said the youngster is tracking well after having a shoulder reconstruction last March.

“He’s on a modified program but I’d expect over the next couple of weeks he’d be introduced to some more training and would be a chance to play in the NAB Cup,” he said.

Fraser said Dawes, who played six games in 2008, had shed several kilograms from his 100kg frame.

“Chris Dawes is flying. His body shape has changed a little bit,” Fraser said.

“He’s probably trimmed down a touch.

“He’ll be a big plus for the footy club if he can continue his development and give some of those other forwards like Trav (Cloke) a hand.”

 

[The Royal Sampler]

If Dawes is to add size to his frame, it should probably be in his legs. They still appear disproportionately thin considering his huge upper body.

 

[Skade]

If Dawes is to add size to his frame, it should probably be in his legs. They still appear disproportionately thin considering his huge upper body.

He must be running a lot to finish 4th in the time trial, would thid build up those chicken legs or just increase his endurance?

 

[unplugged]

He must be running a lot to finish 4th in the time trial, would thid build up those chicken legs or just increase his endurance?

No doubt he'd be doing leg weights and other exercises too. But yes, running will build up 'chicken legs' if upped to another level.

 

[smiddaz123]

He doesn't really have chicken legs, they just look out of proportion.

They're still sufficiently strong.

 

[Snag Breac]

It's as if they have a life sentence hanging over them. They'll surely burst their hearts every time they play this year, and live like monks for the rest of the time. But then it should be in the past. I wouldn't want all the mistakes I'd ever made in life continually embittering the present.