The feeling was that the Essendon mid-field was playing catch-up in terms of fitness leading up to and during the finals. Having missed large chunks of the season, they simply ran out legs on Grand Final day when their fitness was put to the ultimate test. The question is - with the injuries the club has suffered in the past month - could the same thing happen in 2002?
According to Essendon fitness coach John Quinn, the short answer is no. ""The nature of the injuries we have suffered this season - apart from Dean Solomon - is significantly different to those we copped in 2001,"" Quinn said. ""The major injuries we have at the moment include one head injury, a hand injury and two broken arms.""
Quinn said the fact that the players legs were sound meant that he could get fitness work into players - something he was unable to do last season. ""We had players sidelined for six to eight weeeks last season with leg injuries and obviously you can't put any miles into their legs for much of that time,"" Quinn said. ""With these players we have been able to put them on bikes and they will be able to do some running far earlier than they would if they had leg injuries.""
""I think it did have a bit of an impact in the finals' series last year and hopefully if we get into the finals this season that won't be the case. I'm confident these players will be in better shape,"" Quinn said.
