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courtesy of www.portadelaidefc.com.au
Primus primed for camp
Port Adelaide players are enthusiastic about the training, group-relaxation and people-meeting opportunities available at Murray Bridge and surrounding towns and areas this week as part of the AFL Community Camps program.
This was the clear message from fit-again Port captain Matthew Primus on Monday as the Power’s players completed preparations for their camp.
The meticulously planned schedule begins on Tuesday with a civic reception at Murray Bridge’s Local Government Centre from 10am-11am and continues with school visits by all players from 1.30pm-3pm, a training session with local talent squad members at Ramblers Oval from 4pm-6pm and community forums for coaches, umpires, administrators, trainers and youths at Murray Bridge High School from 8pm-10pm.
“It’s to do with football clubs getting out among the community,” Primus said. “We have our community youth program that goes out for a day or so.
“This time we get to spend three days in the Murray Bridge area and see people who probably don’t get a chance to come down to see us train and play.
“The players always enjoy spending a bit of time together. We’re up on the river for three days this time and we can have a bit of fun, tied in with going out to visit people in schools and hospitals.
“It’s the last time we’ll be able to do it before the start of the season. Then it’ll be here (Alberton Oval) day in, day out, so we’re looking forward to getting up there for a few days.
“Pre-season can get pretty mundane with the exercises you do, so the players enjoy a change of location. And if we can touch as many people as we can, and change a few into Power supporters, it’ll certainly help us.”
Primus, 29, resembles his normal mint condition after recovering from the right knee and hamstring problems that restricted him to only nine AFL matches last season.
Asked how his body and, more importantly, his right leg were standing up to the rigours of pre-season training, he said: “I haven’t had a problem at all. That’s been the good thing about it. I’ve got through it without any worries and I’m going into the start of the games feeling pretty good about it all.
“I’ve been able to do all of the training, so I hope it stays like that for the rest of the year.”
Primus said he wanted to play in Port’s opening Wizard Home Loans Cup match against Geelong at Cairns on Saturday, February 21 and in the Power’s internal trial at Alberton the previous Saturday.
Given the fine form of big men Dean Brogan and Brendon Lade last season, Primus was asked whether he thought he would automatically assume the No. 1 rucking role when he returned.
“I probably think I would like to but every player’s position depends on his form and if he’s getting enough of the ball,” he said. “I’m no different just because I’m captain.”
Primus has been impressed with the recent training form of versatile left-footer Brett Ebert, who won the SANFL’s Magarey Medal playing with Port Magpies last season.
“Brett’s really continued his form, even though he’s had the shoulder injury,” he said. “The last three or four weeks, he’s been playing in our games (at training) and he’s shown the form he had last year.
“I think he’ll put his hand up to play some Wizard Cup.”
On the progress of Josh Francou, who needs another operation to reconstruct his left knee, Primus said: “He’s obviously got his head around it now. He’s made his decision on the surgeon who’s going to do his knee.
“I think he’s going in some time this week. He’s obviously still really disappointed about it, but he’s already talking about getting stuck into the hard work and making sure he’s right to go for next year, so that’s a positive for him and also the club.”
And on the mooted changes to Port’s style of game, Primus said: “There’s nothing really in it. It’s just stuff we do around stationaries and the way we move the ball.
“There’ll be maybe a two per cent change to the way we’ve played before. Our style is going to change only a little bit. It’s nothing that’s going to change the way the world goes round.”
When quizzed on the so far non selection in the Bigfooty Buddy Draft, Primus replied:"Well the posters have obviously lost all love for me after my stop-start 2003 season, even Kingers was selected in front of me. Next they will nominate me to be delisted!"
Primus primed for camp
Port Adelaide players are enthusiastic about the training, group-relaxation and people-meeting opportunities available at Murray Bridge and surrounding towns and areas this week as part of the AFL Community Camps program.
This was the clear message from fit-again Port captain Matthew Primus on Monday as the Power’s players completed preparations for their camp.
The meticulously planned schedule begins on Tuesday with a civic reception at Murray Bridge’s Local Government Centre from 10am-11am and continues with school visits by all players from 1.30pm-3pm, a training session with local talent squad members at Ramblers Oval from 4pm-6pm and community forums for coaches, umpires, administrators, trainers and youths at Murray Bridge High School from 8pm-10pm.
“It’s to do with football clubs getting out among the community,” Primus said. “We have our community youth program that goes out for a day or so.
“This time we get to spend three days in the Murray Bridge area and see people who probably don’t get a chance to come down to see us train and play.
“The players always enjoy spending a bit of time together. We’re up on the river for three days this time and we can have a bit of fun, tied in with going out to visit people in schools and hospitals.
“It’s the last time we’ll be able to do it before the start of the season. Then it’ll be here (Alberton Oval) day in, day out, so we’re looking forward to getting up there for a few days.
“Pre-season can get pretty mundane with the exercises you do, so the players enjoy a change of location. And if we can touch as many people as we can, and change a few into Power supporters, it’ll certainly help us.”
Primus, 29, resembles his normal mint condition after recovering from the right knee and hamstring problems that restricted him to only nine AFL matches last season.
Asked how his body and, more importantly, his right leg were standing up to the rigours of pre-season training, he said: “I haven’t had a problem at all. That’s been the good thing about it. I’ve got through it without any worries and I’m going into the start of the games feeling pretty good about it all.
“I’ve been able to do all of the training, so I hope it stays like that for the rest of the year.”
Primus said he wanted to play in Port’s opening Wizard Home Loans Cup match against Geelong at Cairns on Saturday, February 21 and in the Power’s internal trial at Alberton the previous Saturday.
Given the fine form of big men Dean Brogan and Brendon Lade last season, Primus was asked whether he thought he would automatically assume the No. 1 rucking role when he returned.
“I probably think I would like to but every player’s position depends on his form and if he’s getting enough of the ball,” he said. “I’m no different just because I’m captain.”
Primus has been impressed with the recent training form of versatile left-footer Brett Ebert, who won the SANFL’s Magarey Medal playing with Port Magpies last season.
“Brett’s really continued his form, even though he’s had the shoulder injury,” he said. “The last three or four weeks, he’s been playing in our games (at training) and he’s shown the form he had last year.
“I think he’ll put his hand up to play some Wizard Cup.”
On the progress of Josh Francou, who needs another operation to reconstruct his left knee, Primus said: “He’s obviously got his head around it now. He’s made his decision on the surgeon who’s going to do his knee.
“I think he’s going in some time this week. He’s obviously still really disappointed about it, but he’s already talking about getting stuck into the hard work and making sure he’s right to go for next year, so that’s a positive for him and also the club.”
And on the mooted changes to Port’s style of game, Primus said: “There’s nothing really in it. It’s just stuff we do around stationaries and the way we move the ball.
“There’ll be maybe a two per cent change to the way we’ve played before. Our style is going to change only a little bit. It’s nothing that’s going to change the way the world goes round.”
When quizzed on the so far non selection in the Bigfooty Buddy Draft, Primus replied:"Well the posters have obviously lost all love for me after my stop-start 2003 season, even Kingers was selected in front of me. Next they will nominate me to be delisted!"
