Watch Paul Licuria interview Darren Jolly on day seven of the high-altitude training camp in Flagstaff, ArizonaA week into his first high-altitude preseason camp in Arizona, Collingwood recruit Darren Jolly is enjoying the training experience with his new teammates and coaches.
Acquired by the club from the Sydney Swans during trade week for picks 14 and 46, the premiership ruckman will play an integral part in Collingwood’s premiership quest next season.
“It’s been a great experience,” Jolly told CTV in Flagstaff after training.
“To be somewhere I have never been before and to get to know the boys is great.
“The body is starting to feel it after a week here and I am counting down the days until we return.”
The 28-year-old played 118 games across five seasons for the Swans and has noticed several differences between his former club and the Magpies.
“Training is a little bit different. The Swans never did anything like this (training in Arizona).
“Fundamentally, things are mostly the same, but the Swans did a bit more running in the first two weeks off preseason where as we run with the ball and use it more which is something I prefer.”
Jolly and his teammates utilised NAU’s Skydome for training during the first week of the camp but have since moved outdoors, where temperatures can range from zero to 10 degrees Celsius.
“We were quite lucky with the weather today. The sun was out. It was a bit colder outside and it became harder to breath. Your lungs have to adapt to bring in the required amount of oxygen.”
Jolly will be looking at forming a ruck partnership with Cameron Wood and Josh Fraser next season. The Sydney recruit admits that he and Fraser have endured several colorful battles over their careers but now as teammates, will work together to provide first usage to the Magpie midfield.
“I have probably had a few words to Josh (Fraser) over the years as he did to me. But now that we are teammates, we sweep those under the rug.
“Josh has been great. I haven’t had a lot to do with him because he has been in rehab but once he is out we will get involved and get into it.”
