- Banned
- #1
<http://afc.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=130005>
Crows in good shape: Schwerdt
Matthew Robran
afc.com.au
2:08:40 PM Wed 24 December, 2003
Adelaide fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt says the Crows are in ‘pretty good shape’ after their final pre-Christmas training session – the now familiar five-kilometre time trial around West Lakes.
“We have not had too many players off the track because of injury, which is always a good indication of how well the players are travelling,” Schwerdt said.
“The testing we have conducted throughout the pre-season indicates they are in pretty good shape. Each year the players aim to raise the bar and this year has been no different.”
Asked whether he felt the squad had improved from this time last year, Schwerdt said: “We placed a very strong influence this year on individual programs. It wasn’t our main focus that they had to achieve a PB in the 5km time trial, as there was other emphasis, particularly in our weight training. It was very encouraging to see that when we did our 5km test, all players were around their PB.”
Adelaide’s midfielders have again impressed on the training track.
“Neil Craig sets some fairly high standards that we expect from guys who play in the midfield,” Schwerdt said. “We have some good role models for our younger midfielders to look up to. (Mark) Ricciuto, (Andrew) McLeod, (Brett) Burton and (Simon) Goodwin are elite athletes who give the younger players something to aspire to.”
The Crows were hit hard by injuries to key personnel last season. Ronnie Burns, Wayne Carey, Scott Welsh, Mark Stevens, Burton and Goodwin missed a considerable slice of 2003.
“Scotty has been excellent and he has not missed a beat,” Schwerdt said. “His conditioning is great and he has done everything asked of him. Stevo has done quite a bit of running and football work over the past few weeks and we anticipate he will join full training in the new year. We are pleased with his progress.”
Schwerdt was especially upbeat about Carey’s progress.
“He has been sensational,” he said. “He came back in very good shape and displayed his true professionalism, and we couldn’t have asked any more from him. He has been a terrific example for the guys with the way he has gone about his training.”
The importance of Carey’s influence cannot be underestimated. With the ability to bring team-mates into the game, he showed his immense value to the side in wet or dry conditions this year.
Asked if the club had changed tact with Carey’s training program this year, Schwerdt said: “We sat down with Wayne at the end of the season and discussed how we could avoid all the difficulties we encountered with him last pre-season.
“This time around, we planned for him to do more speed and agility work during the off-season so that when it came time to bring out the footies, his body was ready.”
Schwerdt’s message to the players was simple. “When they return from their break, they must match or better the time they ran today (Tuesday) for the 5km time trial,” he said.
“The players have only a 12-day break but, from a conditioning point of view, you can do a fair bit of damage in 12 days. Gary (Ayres) and I both emphasise that the players have a goal they must achieve when they come back and that they should do everything possible to achieve that goal.”
Its good to hear an intelligent answer when pressed if the Crows are in better shape than this time last year...Well said Schwerdty,
Keep off the Christmas pud boys
Crows in good shape: Schwerdt
Matthew Robran
afc.com.au
2:08:40 PM Wed 24 December, 2003
Adelaide fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt says the Crows are in ‘pretty good shape’ after their final pre-Christmas training session – the now familiar five-kilometre time trial around West Lakes.
“We have not had too many players off the track because of injury, which is always a good indication of how well the players are travelling,” Schwerdt said.
“The testing we have conducted throughout the pre-season indicates they are in pretty good shape. Each year the players aim to raise the bar and this year has been no different.”
Asked whether he felt the squad had improved from this time last year, Schwerdt said: “We placed a very strong influence this year on individual programs. It wasn’t our main focus that they had to achieve a PB in the 5km time trial, as there was other emphasis, particularly in our weight training. It was very encouraging to see that when we did our 5km test, all players were around their PB.”
Adelaide’s midfielders have again impressed on the training track.
“Neil Craig sets some fairly high standards that we expect from guys who play in the midfield,” Schwerdt said. “We have some good role models for our younger midfielders to look up to. (Mark) Ricciuto, (Andrew) McLeod, (Brett) Burton and (Simon) Goodwin are elite athletes who give the younger players something to aspire to.”
The Crows were hit hard by injuries to key personnel last season. Ronnie Burns, Wayne Carey, Scott Welsh, Mark Stevens, Burton and Goodwin missed a considerable slice of 2003.
“Scotty has been excellent and he has not missed a beat,” Schwerdt said. “His conditioning is great and he has done everything asked of him. Stevo has done quite a bit of running and football work over the past few weeks and we anticipate he will join full training in the new year. We are pleased with his progress.”
Schwerdt was especially upbeat about Carey’s progress.
“He has been sensational,” he said. “He came back in very good shape and displayed his true professionalism, and we couldn’t have asked any more from him. He has been a terrific example for the guys with the way he has gone about his training.”
The importance of Carey’s influence cannot be underestimated. With the ability to bring team-mates into the game, he showed his immense value to the side in wet or dry conditions this year.
Asked if the club had changed tact with Carey’s training program this year, Schwerdt said: “We sat down with Wayne at the end of the season and discussed how we could avoid all the difficulties we encountered with him last pre-season.
“This time around, we planned for him to do more speed and agility work during the off-season so that when it came time to bring out the footies, his body was ready.”
Schwerdt’s message to the players was simple. “When they return from their break, they must match or better the time they ran today (Tuesday) for the 5km time trial,” he said.
“The players have only a 12-day break but, from a conditioning point of view, you can do a fair bit of damage in 12 days. Gary (Ayres) and I both emphasise that the players have a goal they must achieve when they come back and that they should do everything possible to achieve that goal.”
Its good to hear an intelligent answer when pressed if the Crows are in better shape than this time last year...Well said Schwerdty,
Keep off the Christmas pud boys
