- Joined
- Sep 22, 2004
- Posts
- 7,752
- Reaction score
- 1,053
- Location
- Melbourne
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- Adelaide Crows
Every game my aim: Hart
8:30:19 AM Fri 24 December, 2004
Matthew Robran
afc.com.au
Adelaide vice-captain Ben Hart has one personal goal for the 2005 AFL season.
"I'm hoping to play every game of the home and-away-season," said Hart, who was restricted to only six appearances in 2004 because of a chronic hamstring injury.
Preparing for his 14th AFL season, the 30-year-old Hart admits he became very frustrated by missing games and training, and he recognises he may have to do things differently in future pre-seasons to ensure his body stands up to the rigours of each season.
"It is very frustrating because all I want to do is get out there and train and play as best I can," he said. "At the same time, I'm now aware that I may have to do things a little differently over pre-seasons to come.
"I've taken the medical staff's advice and I'm doing what they expect me to do, so my training is a little slower than others.
"I've always wanted to be the player who is leading the runs or training every session, but this year’s injury was probably a wake-up call that it might be time to take a step back and do just what I need to do to get myself ready for an AFL season."
Hart, the heart and soul of the Adelaide defence over the past decade - and a dual premiership player (1997-98) and club champion (1999 and 2002), as well as a four-time All-Australian (1992, '93, '99 and 2002) - had enjoyed an injury-free career until this year.
Although not yet training with the main squad, the 276-game veteran will be ready to 'crank it up' in early January.
"My hamstring is coming along well at the moment," he said. "I'm on a modified program, which means I haven’t joined in with the main group yet.
"The aim for me is to be ready to play by round one. The plan is for me to get back into full training when we return on January 4.
"I'm on a day-on, day-off program as far as running goes, but I'm doing lots of strength work on the hamstring. My program is very controlled as I'm working with the other players on modified programs away from the main squad."
Hart, who is likely to become the Crows' new games record-holder in round three, surpassing Nigel Smart's 278 games, was full of praise for Neil Craig’s pre-season philosophy.
"He has been fantastic," he said. "He has implemented many new ideas and we have had the footballs out at every session of every week except one.
"Neil's training focus has been about improving each individual as well as the way the team plays its football. He has been very enthusiastic and is willing to listen to ideas the playing group may have.
"You can see the dramatic improvements in our skills, communication and knowledge of Neil’s game plan from when we started on November 11 to now."
8:30:19 AM Fri 24 December, 2004
Matthew Robran
afc.com.au
Adelaide vice-captain Ben Hart has one personal goal for the 2005 AFL season.
"I'm hoping to play every game of the home and-away-season," said Hart, who was restricted to only six appearances in 2004 because of a chronic hamstring injury.
Preparing for his 14th AFL season, the 30-year-old Hart admits he became very frustrated by missing games and training, and he recognises he may have to do things differently in future pre-seasons to ensure his body stands up to the rigours of each season.
"It is very frustrating because all I want to do is get out there and train and play as best I can," he said. "At the same time, I'm now aware that I may have to do things a little differently over pre-seasons to come.
"I've taken the medical staff's advice and I'm doing what they expect me to do, so my training is a little slower than others.
"I've always wanted to be the player who is leading the runs or training every session, but this year’s injury was probably a wake-up call that it might be time to take a step back and do just what I need to do to get myself ready for an AFL season."
Hart, the heart and soul of the Adelaide defence over the past decade - and a dual premiership player (1997-98) and club champion (1999 and 2002), as well as a four-time All-Australian (1992, '93, '99 and 2002) - had enjoyed an injury-free career until this year.
Although not yet training with the main squad, the 276-game veteran will be ready to 'crank it up' in early January.
"My hamstring is coming along well at the moment," he said. "I'm on a modified program, which means I haven’t joined in with the main group yet.
"The aim for me is to be ready to play by round one. The plan is for me to get back into full training when we return on January 4.
"I'm on a day-on, day-off program as far as running goes, but I'm doing lots of strength work on the hamstring. My program is very controlled as I'm working with the other players on modified programs away from the main squad."
Hart, who is likely to become the Crows' new games record-holder in round three, surpassing Nigel Smart's 278 games, was full of praise for Neil Craig’s pre-season philosophy.
"He has been fantastic," he said. "He has implemented many new ideas and we have had the footballs out at every session of every week except one.
"Neil's training focus has been about improving each individual as well as the way the team plays its football. He has been very enthusiastic and is willing to listen to ideas the playing group may have.
"You can see the dramatic improvements in our skills, communication and knowledge of Neil’s game plan from when we started on November 11 to now."
