COUCH time is no longer an option for Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott as he puts into practice a rigorous weekly routine to avoid a recurrence of the back problems that kept him sidelined in 2016.
The 24-year-old revealed to AFL.com.au that he is now more aware of having the right posture and not sitting around for too long during the week.
The discipline required to get his body right only underlines how impressive his form has been since he returned seven games ago against St Kilda in round four.
"I try not to overthink about it, but every day I am thinking about my position: How I am sitting? Is this a bad thing for it? Is it a good thing for it? All those little things," Elliott said.
"It's more about not being at risk when I am out at training or out playing. I just want to make sure I am feeling free [and] everything is switched on."
Having learned the importance of such preparation during his season out of the game he is following a few golden rules to get himself right for game day.
"Stay mobile, don't sit for too long, don't get stuck sitting on the couch, and make sure my posture [is correct] and not slumping too much. That's a brief explanation of it," Elliott said.
The fan favourite has been in exciting form since his return, kicking three goals or more in five of his seven games for a tally of 17 goals.
He kicked 4.4 against the Brisbane Lions on Sunday at the MCG and, despite an impressive 9.4 from set shots in 2017, is aware of the work required to maintain his accuracy.
"We've proven that we have lost games through (inaccuracy), so we get as much we can in and make sure it is a focus of ours, and make sure when it comes to game day we execute," Elliott said.
Elliott said he still wanted to improve in a range of areas including tackling and the pressure he applied in the forward 50.
Given what he endured last season and the discipline required to be at his best on game day, you might imagine football would seem more like hard work than fun for Elliott.
You would be wrong.
He's grateful for every minute in the black and white.
"I definitely appreciate it a lot more now … even training," Elliott said.
