Collingwood’s final training session for the week proved a gruelling one with players undergoing 300-metre sprint time trials before heading down to Gosch’s Paddock to work on drills for over two hours. 

With just a month remaining before the NAB Cup competition commences, the team is in the process of fine-tuning its 2010 on-field structure.

A 300-metre sprint time trial kicked off proceedings with the club’s conditioning staff timing small groups of players completing five sets of sprints around Olympic Park.

Magpie defender Harry O’Brien was a standout, setting the pace for his teammates during the morning testing. 

Once the running was completed, the group moved down to Gosch’s Paddock where they were greeted by a healthy number of Collingwood diehards, eager to see the boys in action.

A strong warm-up was followed by a midfield workout with the group separating into three teams working the ball through the centre of the ground.

Alan Didak directed traffic with both sides of his body while Heath Shaw and Tarkyn Lockyer provided vocal support to their younger teammates.

The session quickly moved to contact drills with assistant coach Mark Neeld overseeing players wearing tackle pads while trying to prevent movement of the ball in tight passages.

Another full ground drill followed with Sharrod Wellingham using the ball with precision by foot, setting up Sean Rusling, who was playing deep inside the forward 50, on more than one occasion.

The lengthy session ended with players working in smaller positional groups under specific guidance by the assistant coaches.

The group ended the day with a core and weights session back inside the Lexus Centre.



Alan Didak, Jarrad Blight, Travis Cloke and Brent Macaffer run a 300-metre sprint.



Darren Jolly crouches down to Jarryd Blair's height to take the mark.






Sean Rusling takes a strong mark in front of goal with Paul Licuria in the background.













Young Magpie Luke Rounds tries to defend a persistent Tyson Goldsack.



Darren Jolly lines up Sharrod Wellingham in a contact drill.









Nick Maxwell lays a trademark bump on American recruit Shae McNamara.
























Rookie-listed Magpie Tom Hunter looks alert as he receives the ball under pressure.