News

The Bombers are back

Monday, 9 January 2012
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon’s players returned to the track this week to resume their fitness testing ahead of the upcoming NAB Cup campaign.

With the pre-season competition just over a month away, high performance manager Dean Robinson said the players had returned to the club in good shape following the Christmas break.

“The playing group came back in a really good state both physically and mentally and as a whole, they have all tested well since returning to the club,” Robinson said.

“Following the break, we noticed they had put on a lot of extra strength which was particularly pleasing to see.

“At this point in time of the pre-season campaign, the players and their physical states are where we want them.”

Robinson praised the fitness levels of captain Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton, saying the duo had returned to the club in impressive form.

“Jobe is looking really good and his endurance levels and his capacity for speed has really increased,” Robinson said.

“Stants (Brent Stanton) has come back looking really fit and is impressing us all with his work rates.

“On a similar note, a number of the smaller guys are getting faster and looking good too, so overall we are quite pleased with where the playing group are at in terms of fitness levels.”

Robinson also highlighted the attitude of the playing group over the course of the pre-season, despite the demanding and gruelling training sessions.

“Everyone is really positive and lapping up the work that we have put to them,” he said.

“While there is obviously a lot more hard work to be done, the attitude of the playing group over the pre-season so far has been brilliant.”

Click here to check out all the post-Christmas Bomber Shop specials today. Don't miss out on the latest 2012 adidas traning range.

PLAYER PROFILE: Brent Stanton
PLAYER PROFILE: Jobe Watson

Your comments

Add your own comment now!

Username:
Password:
I've forgotten my details, please email them to me.

Your comment (must be 100 words or less):

Great positive story and excellent photo of the boys un training. If Gumby can get some power back into his legs by Rd 1 I can safely say I couldn't have asked for a better pre-season from the boys.

- Justin Millard (posted 9/01/2012 9:42:29 PM)

don.t spend to much Speed and Energy on the Nab Cup Competition like last Year in Hirds 1st Year as coach keep it for the Rill Season this Nab cup dose not mean a Thing

- MARK JONES (posted 9/01/2012 10:36:50 PM)

Hurls looks like a machine, as do a fair few of the boys. Hope this doesn't take away from their pace.

- Matt Pocock (posted 9/01/2012 11:11:24 PM)

The Bombers are looking the strongest I've ever seen them look. Exciting times ahead!

- Adrian Reynolds (posted 9/01/2012 11:33:05 PM)

Big Mick Hurley is looking more like Wayne Carey every new pic I see of him size wise. Keep the good work going boys.

- Adrian Ritson (posted 9/01/2012 11:47:30 PM)

Excellent....Big season coming up! Can't wait.

- Garry Nicholls (posted 10/01/2012 5:52:09 AM)

Can't wait to round one boys. Looking forward to a great year! Will be great to see Heppell pushing through the mid field with a stronger body,he's going to be lethal!

- Tom Christie (posted 10/01/2012 8:00:32 AM)

Can't wait for the year!!!! GO BOMBERS!!!

- William Clarke (posted 10/01/2012 9:24:29 AM)

The players are really looking good and definately on the improve. We need to as our last game/effort was a disgrace.

- Ralph Lepore (posted 10/01/2012 9:26:33 AM)

Well done boys. U all Look like massive tanks!!! I can see a pemiership next year!! Go the Mighty BOMBERS in 2012!!!!

- Rolf Buchner (posted 10/01/2012 9:28:38 AM)

Hey guys, impressive upper bodies there. Leroy those legs look pretty lethal, as well. Looking good. Powerful mentally & physically. Have an enormous season fellas.

- Gail Taylor (posted 10/01/2012 9:48:52 AM)

Great photo EI, but don't you think we as members do deserve atleast a small piece of video of the players trainning.

- GARY WALTERS (posted 10/01/2012 10:23:13 AM)

Looks like they are back at Windy Hill at last. Hurley looks massive!

- Kris Bayne (posted 10/01/2012 10:37:55 AM)

I don't really agree with the idea of backing off for pre-season cups. We won in 84, 93 and 2000 and won the main gig also. In 1990 we won it and played in GF also later in season. If it's there to win, win it. If we drop out early, then use the time to develop. Use our new found strength to send a message and challenge ourselves.

- Wesley Hull (posted 10/01/2012 11:03:07 AM)

Is it too early to get excited.Feel like jumping up and down and yelling out,Big Kev's motto "I'm excited. Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 10/01/2012 11:20:42 AM)

The Knights game plan was built around speed, of the player and the ball. The Hird/Thompson game plan sounds like it will be built around strength and defence. Speed and strength shouldn't be mutually exclusive. We need a balance and I'm confident we will have it in spades.

- Rob Carew (posted 10/01/2012 12:24:40 PM)

Is Gumbleton on a modified training program yet due to injury???

- Geoff Cliff (posted 10/01/2012 12:32:08 PM)

cant wait wait for the season to start all ive heard all preseason is positives the Hird/Thompson combo in the 2nd year will be better then ever we saw what we can do the the premier Geelong just need consistancy which will come with all this fitness work GO DONS

- Heath Mann (posted 10/01/2012 12:54:55 PM)

All looking a big bigger and fit for battle. I hope the extra weight does not impact speed. C'mon guys you must crush thise C'Wood maggots this year.

- Francis Connolly (posted 10/01/2012 1:01:33 PM)

Crikey, Hurly looks like a young Shields…Awesome!!!

- David Husk (posted 10/01/2012 1:09:54 PM)

Hello EI When is the first Bombers open training session. I'm going overseas for 2 months at the end of the month and was hoping to see a training session before I leave ..... I'm back the day before our opening game of 2012 against the Kanga's. Would not miss that !! :-) Go Bombers

- Charles Taylor (posted 10/01/2012 1:22:34 PM)

Lovely positive news and a good vibe coming through this article. So good to see Gumby out on the track training. Now only hope he can stay on the field and perform like we all know he can.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 10/01/2012 1:33:21 PM)

Not long now..... Another big year coming up - there is no turning back..... Players have to stand as one and deliver -no excuses for mediocrity.....

- Victor Tallis (posted 10/01/2012 2:08:19 PM)

Gumby looks in great nick ! Can't wait to see him repay the club's patience with his injuries, im my opinion was a great decision. Go Dons !!!

- daniel stubbs (posted 10/01/2012 2:27:27 PM)

Hurls was already pretty strong in contested situations, he will be a real brute now, and most of our other guys are considerably more powerful than they were a few months ago too. A quicker Jobe, as well as several other players is good news also. It's a very good report from Dean Robinson, and he is showing why he is so highly rated by the Geelong players.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 10/01/2012 2:33:01 PM)

When is the next open training session. Essendon have asked a lot of the members all pre season with the membership price rises and donations to the flight plan. I think it is time you gave a little bit back to the fans! We're sick and tired of the closed training sessions.

- Paul Mustica (posted 10/01/2012 2:44:02 PM)

To all those worried about our speed, read the article again, actually i will cut & paste for you.....“Jobe is looking really good and his endurance levels and his capacity for speed has really increased,” Robinson said. hers another line...........On a similar note, a number of the smaller guys are getting faster, hope this clears things up. cheers, Paul.

- Paul Herbert (posted 10/01/2012 3:07:34 PM)

Agree with you Paul Herbert. People have to forget about our speed as there quick to forget that 2 of our fastest players from both ends of the ground are due back this year Winder n Dempsey. Add them to the mix and we have a very fast looking team!

- Craig Jackson (posted 10/01/2012 6:03:06 PM)

Hurley looks like a tank! Hope he starts to really take games by the scruff of the neck this year!

- Matthew Jones (posted 10/01/2012 6:47:01 PM)

wow! Mick Hurley looking like the incredible hulk! and Reimers finally ready to smash some packs at ground level across half forward.! good job Jimmy.! :)

- Bob Davies (posted 11/01/2012 8:09:37 AM)

EI A courteous answer to the requests about the next open training session would have been nice, even if you told us you would have to get back to us. To just ignore these requests is very disappointing, especially when the club is asking so much of us supporters by way of memberships, donations, attendance at games and other functions etc. A little involvment from those of us who would like to attend a training session would be nice & would show the club is really interested in its "supporters", not just our MONEY !!

- Charles Taylor (posted 11/01/2012 9:44:30 AM)

They should have a crack at the NAB cup - Need the cash for the new training ground!

- Steven Boyle (posted 11/01/2012 6:02:31 PM)