Former fitness coach Darren Burgess, who left the Power to take up a new role with Football Federation Australia two years ago, dropped in to look over his predecessor’s new exercise regime.
Burgess captivated the support staff with tales of the Socceroos, Harry Kewell and overseas travel before settling down in the grandstand alongside premiership player and current board member Daryl Wakelin.
Not long after training started the pair was joined by retired utility Toby Thurstans, who came out for a peek at the club’s next batch of youngsters.
New Port Magpies coach Tony Bamford was also on hand to watch training, perhaps to ponder what his struggling SANFL side might look like if the two clubs were granted permission to merge next year.
Midfielder Danyle Pearce looked like he needed to join the onlookers in the stands after just 20 minutes of the warm-up when he called for his asthma puffer.
But his wheeze was just a result of the freshly cut grass scattered across Alberton Oval, which was still being mowed as the players hit the track.
The labourers working on the Power’s new training facility upgrade took a time-out to watch as the team moved from stretching to match-simulation drills.
Skipper Dom Cassisi also watched on from the sidelines.
Cassisi rested a couple of sore spots on the stationary bike, but fulfilled his captaincy duties by spruiking new recruit John Butcher and his “great hands” to some interested supporters on the boundary line.
The newlywed onballer also showcased domesticity that would’ve made wife Mya proud, putting his own bike away after the work out.
Injured pair David Rodan and Marlon Motlop also enjoyed a light session.
A thin bandage to protect against infection was the only obvious sign of Rodan’s knee reconstruction just three weeks ago.
The high-spirited midfielder was restricted to walking laps, but told inquisitive observers he was thrilled with his new artificial anterior cruciate ligament.
Fans got a good chance to check out Butcher’s highly rated hands during a one-on-one marking drill with veteran Chad Cornes.
The prized No.8 draft pick outmanoeuvred Cornes in one contest and made a move to go and join the rest of the group before coach Mark Williams decided it was time for a kicking lesson and made the tall forward take a shot on goal in front of the group.
Butcher missed, but redeemed himself when Williams dragged him back to do it again.
Fit looking forward Brett Ebert had no such trouble with his kicking.
The left-footer snapped a goal from close range and sent the footy cannoning over the top of the safety net and onto the roof of a car before it bounced and landed in the yard of a house across the street.
Unlike Cassisi, Ebert didn’t clean up his own mess and a drinks runner was commissioned to retrieve the ball before it became a souvenir for a passer by.
The footballs almost caused more damage in the latter part of the session.
Injured onballer Jason Davenport copped a ball in the nose when new teammate Cameron Cloke accidentally started a handball drill when the former Cat wasn’t watching.
And only a little inaccuracy stopped Burgess and Wakelin being hit by a Williams’ missile into the stands.
Williams then turned his attention to development coach Gary Hocking, who was having shots at goal on the run.
The premiership coach comically tried to mimic Hocking’s infamous kicking style, but walked away after a few attempts and the exercise ended in a play wrestle between Hocking and his development colleague, Stuart Cochrane.
Boys will be boys.
