EVERY pre-season training session is tough - but a session at the Kurnell sand dunes near Cronulla is among the toughest Swans players will encounter as they prepare for the 2011 season.
Fifteen players tackled the arduous course, with Swans head conditioner Rob Spurrs full of praise for the player’s efforts.
“Overall, I thought all the guys were fantastic. It was probably a bit harder than last year’s session, the same amount of time, but probably a lot more intense work than last year and a few longer hill efforts,” Spurrs explained.
“Nick Malceski was probably the best overall, he’s come back in great shape. He ran a personal best for his three-kilometre time trial on Monday and he’s absolutely flying," Spurrs said.
"Dan Currie impressed me, he seemed to dominate his group for most of the session. Byron Sumner did well. He was sort of bringing up the back of his group early on, but really soldiered on and got through the session and will no doubt feel rewarded for his effort."
Matt Spangher, in his first serious hit-out with the Swans this pre-season was another to impress as he pushed hard through the sliding sand.
The dunes have been part of the Swans pre-season regime for two years now, and though not for everyone, Spurrs says they provide a great challenge for players.
“You’ve got a couple of additional resistances. There is obviously the hill aspect, but on top of that you’ve got the moving sand which doesn’t give you a lot of return for the effort you’re putting in. Also, it is a bit of mental thing, it is a big session, there is no shade, and there is not a lot of rest,” he explained.
“They were a lot more vocal today than they have been in other sessions. The fact they are out of their comfort zone and need to help each other out, really adds to the encouragement,” Spurrs said.
As their teammates battled through the dunes, the remainder of the Swans group were not kicking up their heels - completing an intense running session at Lakeside Oval.
