Medical room: Midfielder Travis Boak will be eased back into full training after the break after having his appendix removed, while Jacob Surjan (knee) will also remain on a modified program. David Rodan is progressing well in his recovery from knee surgery and is on track to return to full training in mid-February. Brett Ebert (knee) will progress to full-contact drills by mid-January, as will Cameron Hitchcock (shoulder) and Daniel Stewart (shoulder). Andrew Moore (adductor) and Simon Phillips (shoulder) are also recovering from minor surgery.
Who's burning: Jarrad Redden started the pre-season behind veteran Dean Brogan and three-gamer Matthew Lobbe in the ruck pecking order at Alberton, but has pressed his claim for an unlikely round one berth with a blistering two months of training. The 20-year-old's strength testing and skin folds have reflected a significant improvement in lean muscle mass and he's been 'killing it' on the track, according to teammate Jackson Trengove.
Draftee watch: Most draftees would be content with just getting through their first training session at a new club but first-round draft pick Ben Jacobs used the opportunity to showcase his revered skills, kicking on his non-preferred right foot for much of the hour-long workout. He wasted no time making an impression off the field either, pretending to not know who Warren Tredrea was in a radio interview with the former Power champion shortly after being drafted.
Membership: Port Adelaide had 12,778 paid-up members, including 2234 Magpies members before closing its offices for the Christmas break. The number is well ahead of the comparable figure for this time last year and the Power are confident the recent merger with the Magpies will help the club reach its target of 35,000 members next season.
After the break: Traditionally, the Power hold a full-scale internal trial in early February but planning for this has been put on hold because of the earlier than usual start to the NAB Cup. The Power had the footballs out from day one of pre-season training, but will do more match-simulation work after the Christmas break.
Telstra Community Camp: The Power will visit local schools, hold a free Auskick clinic and sign autographs as part of their 2011 AFL Telstra Community Camp in Clare on February 14 and 15.
NAB Cup opener: February 11 v Melbourne and Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
What they say: "We've had a pretty good build-up to Christmas. We've had a fairly substantial group of guys - about 11 in all - who have had post-season surgery, so while we're going to have a really big January and have positioned ourselves to do so, we've got to be mindful that those players are just coming back into the fold after surgery and we've got to be careful we don't break those guys down." - fitness coach Cam Falloon.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
