Week 2 of the 2018 INC pre-season is complete and the first to fourth-year players now have a couple of days to
There have been some impressive performances during the first couple of weeks of training and Lions.com.au have compiled some of our observations about the start of pre-season below.
Duo smashing it
Rhys Mathieson and Nick Robertson were inseparable during the off-season travelling and training together and have returned for pre-season in incredible form.
The duo
The departure of Tom Rockliff opens the door for Mathieson to take up a greater role in the midfield in 2018, and he looks determined to seize that opportunity.
Robbo has always been a fitness freak at the Club and looms as one of the favourites to take out the 3km time trial.
Hugh’s added size
As many fans have already noticed, 2016 draftee Hugh McCluggage has bulked up over the off-season and is now sporting an impressive set of pipes.
McCluggage has been very strong in the fitness sessions so far and looks on track to have a huge 2018.
Other players that look like they’ve added a bit more size include Mathieson, Eric Hipwood, Harris Andrews, Oscar McInerney, Allen Christensen and Corey Lyons.
Lots stepping up
Younger players are starting to find their voice out on the training track, no doubt encouraged by Chris Fagan and the coaching staff.
You couldn’t tell the Lions finished with the wooden spoon in 2017, with the enthusiasm and determination levels incredibly high around the Club, which is an excellent sign heading into 2018.
Killer boxing sessions
The team has completed numerous boxing sessions over the past couple of weeks under the tutelage of Chris Rose at the Gabba and at Coorparoo Boxing Gym.
The intense sessions are a great way of increasing the team’s fitness without overloading their legs and putting them at risk of injury.
Who looks most fearsome with the gloves on?
Nick Robbo hits like a madman, Alex Witherden knocked a boxing bag clean off its attachment earlier in the week, ruckman Archie Smith and Oscar McInerney have
Older heads raring to return
Fifth-year plus players aren’t due back for training until Monday but that hasn’t stopped many of them from joining in already.
Following an injury layoff, Mitch Robinson has the enthusiasm of a first-year player and is running as smoothly as ever.
Charlie Cameron – just six weeks after playing in the AFL grand final – has been at training and meeting his new teammates. He is lightning quick and has excellent skills.
Captain Dayne Beams has been working hard in the gym and his shoulder is looking strong following offseason surgery.
Tom Bell, Sam Mayes, Allen Christensen and Marco Paparone have also joined in on sessions early.
Training is sure to go up another notch on Monday when all the older boys are officially back.
Who else is impressing?
Eagles and Jake Barrett have returned to pre-season in excellent shape and have been impressing the high-performance staff.
Tom Cutler has barely broken a sweat or grimace during the demanding fitness sessions.
Dan McStay has been rock-solid during the first couple of weeks.
Lions NEAFL Player of the Year McInerney is also looking great at training and is very smooth in high-pressure drills.
