""The NAB Cup is an exciting time, because unlike last year a lot of our guys will be available this year in week one,"" Gary O’Donnell explained
""It is a great chance to give it a good showing and without looking too far ahead, win round one and we are only two games away from a night Grand Final and that is what we will be concentrating on.""
The group looked sharp during the session this morning, with the break not having a major impact on the pre-season training.
""The players have all appeared to come back pretty well. They have obviously had a good break but have come back in good shape.
""There are still a few that have to improve a bit who are still behind the eight ball, but they haven’t come back any worse for Christmas so that has been pleasing.
""We are still in a skills focus, but also there is a fair bit of competitive work but not 100 per cent full tilt. They are still running into each other, but hopefully not flat out where you risk an injury,"" O’Donnell explained.
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Those watching training today may have needed to look twice when they spotted Jobe Watson, who looks almost unrecognisable since last season.
""Jobe has been very good in the way he has presented himself and given himself his best chance of having a good year. He has lost weight, but more so he has changed his body shape. He has become really lean in his core and he moving really well.""
Another player who has impressed O’Donnell has been Jason Winderlich. Heading into his fourth season at the club, the 21 year old midfielder has been working hard this pre-season to get the best out of himself.
""He has been a stand out, he is running really well. And that is the area he had to improve on with his repeated effort type running. He is a good chance to be at his best this year.""
In further good news for the Bombers, Adam Ramanauskas has resumed training following his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction, but the coaching staff remain cautious not to overexert him too early.
""He joins in most of the skills work, but when things start getting competitive or too willing in a group type situation he might pull out.
""You slowly build up the amount of rigours you put knee under, so it’s just a process but he is on track, hasn’t had any set backs and it is all pretty positive.
""I would have thought Round 1 would be the target, he did the injury early enough in 2005 to suggest that he would be on track to be playing by the start of the year.""
