St Kilda players that had been spread over Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch have gathered in Queenstown to embark on the club’s high performance training camp.
And there was no time to adjust, with High Performance Manager Adam Basil implementing a physically strenuous session in a picturesque location.
“We had lunch first in Queenstown and then did a pretty solid training session,” midfielder Tom Curren told SAINTS.com.au.
“We just got told then it is only going to get more solid, so that’s something to look forward to.
“We have a pretty challenging schedule with a lot of hikes and mountain bike riding, so it is a little bit out of the normal pre-season. It will be good, but obviously mentally and physically challenging at the same time. We will get a lot out of it.”
Following November’s leadership camp in Canberra, Curren isn’t too sure what to expect over the next few days, but suggested his primary individual goal is to improve his aerobic base.
“Ultimately I just want to keep building on my fitness,” he said.
“I want to get myself in that elite running bracket and lift my base. I also want to get a lot closer with the boys because these camps help a lot with that sort of stuff.”
Having been to Queenstown just after he was taken in the 2012 Rookie Draft, Curren said he was taken aback by the rolling mountains more reminiscent of a calendar than a training venue.
“I came here in 2011 and it is a beautiful place to come back to. The scenery is like an absolute postcard. It is a gorgeous place.”
The seven new draftees from the National Draft and Rookie Draft will link up with Curren and co in New Zealand on Saturday. While the midfielder is looking forward to meeting the newest crop of Saints, he’s equally bullish about welcoming some more experienced players into the fold including Leigh Montagna and Sam Fisher.
“I’m looking forward to the older boys and the first year players arriving on Saturday. It will be good to get the group together for the first time and meet the new boys.”
