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(from www.afc.com.au)
Smooth-running Adelaide half-back James Begley says the players have taken more control throughout the Crows' pre-season training, in which, under the guidance of coach Neil Craig, they have spent considerable time honing their 'game-day' style of play.
"We are really rehearsing 'game-day' simulation, which is what we needed to get better at," Begley said.
"Training doesn't always look clean and nice, but we are really rehearsing 'game-day' simulation.
"The players have taken more control during training and demonstrated more responsibility. A very high standard has been set."
Begley, 24, a Norwich Rising Star nominee in 2001, is one of a number of key Crows aiming to overcome an injury-plagued 2004. Restricted to just eight games last year, Begley has recovered from post-season groin surgery and says he is feeling 'really good and fully fit again'.
"The body is feeling stronger and stronger with each session," he said. "I had a durability rating of 94 per cent for December, which says that I was on the track for just about all the sessions.
"Unfortunately, when you have an operation you are behind the eight-ball a bit in terms of fitness. You have to start from scratch and do a fair amount of catch-up work.
"My main focus during the off-season was the rehabilitation on my groin and making sure that it would be strong enough to stand up to training.
"It gave me a limited preparation but it meant that, come football time, I will be able to compete knowing my injury has healed strongly."
Begley, who has played 56 AFL games (36 with St Kilda), and Mark Stevens were given until December 3, 2004 to prove they had recovered from their respective injuries.
Pleasingly, both players were able to prove their fitness and were offered contracts for season 2005. However, Begley admits he was a little nervous originally.
"I guess with my body and track record, I have had a fair bit of practice at dealing with overcoming injuries and being out of contract," he said.
"The only time I found myself a little on edge was the early stages after the operation when I wasn’t sure how my body was.
"I hadn’t been able to run and I didn’t know whether it would hold up, but I became more confident as soon as I started some light training. It progressed every day and it now gives me no troubles."
With the departure of regular senior players Nigel Smart, Tyson Stenglein and Wayne Carey, Begley said that all players were training well with the hope of selection in the Wizard Cup.
"It is exciting because there will be a few opportunities with some spots up for grabs," he said. "It is a matter of the players putting their hands up for selection. Showing some good early pre-season form goes along way to doing that."
And where does Begley think the Crows will improve this year?
"There is still room for improvement in a lot of us," he said. "Players such as Kris Massie, Ian Perrie, Michael Doughty and me - those who have played between 40 and 70 games - will be aiming to be regular contributors this year."
Smooth-running Adelaide half-back James Begley says the players have taken more control throughout the Crows' pre-season training, in which, under the guidance of coach Neil Craig, they have spent considerable time honing their 'game-day' style of play.
"We are really rehearsing 'game-day' simulation, which is what we needed to get better at," Begley said.
"Training doesn't always look clean and nice, but we are really rehearsing 'game-day' simulation.
"The players have taken more control during training and demonstrated more responsibility. A very high standard has been set."
Begley, 24, a Norwich Rising Star nominee in 2001, is one of a number of key Crows aiming to overcome an injury-plagued 2004. Restricted to just eight games last year, Begley has recovered from post-season groin surgery and says he is feeling 'really good and fully fit again'.
"The body is feeling stronger and stronger with each session," he said. "I had a durability rating of 94 per cent for December, which says that I was on the track for just about all the sessions.
"Unfortunately, when you have an operation you are behind the eight-ball a bit in terms of fitness. You have to start from scratch and do a fair amount of catch-up work.
"My main focus during the off-season was the rehabilitation on my groin and making sure that it would be strong enough to stand up to training.
"It gave me a limited preparation but it meant that, come football time, I will be able to compete knowing my injury has healed strongly."
Begley, who has played 56 AFL games (36 with St Kilda), and Mark Stevens were given until December 3, 2004 to prove they had recovered from their respective injuries.
Pleasingly, both players were able to prove their fitness and were offered contracts for season 2005. However, Begley admits he was a little nervous originally.
"I guess with my body and track record, I have had a fair bit of practice at dealing with overcoming injuries and being out of contract," he said.
"The only time I found myself a little on edge was the early stages after the operation when I wasn’t sure how my body was.
"I hadn’t been able to run and I didn’t know whether it would hold up, but I became more confident as soon as I started some light training. It progressed every day and it now gives me no troubles."
With the departure of regular senior players Nigel Smart, Tyson Stenglein and Wayne Carey, Begley said that all players were training well with the hope of selection in the Wizard Cup.
"It is exciting because there will be a few opportunities with some spots up for grabs," he said. "It is a matter of the players putting their hands up for selection. Showing some good early pre-season form goes along way to doing that."
And where does Begley think the Crows will improve this year?
"There is still room for improvement in a lot of us," he said. "Players such as Kris Massie, Ian Perrie, Michael Doughty and me - those who have played between 40 and 70 games - will be aiming to be regular contributors this year."
