ST KILDA has appointed a new Strength and Conditioning Assistant who has an extensive background in special weapon operations and elite sport training.

Originally from NSW, Luke Portese worked in the highly dangerous Tactical Operations Unit for the New South Wales police department, before moving to the NRL club West Tigers for six years.

The 34-year-old said he is ready for the challenge of a new sport, and believes he can bring a lot of his knowledge to his new position with the Saints.

 “The running loads the AFL boys do is just tremendous, especially from an NRL perspective, they run so many more kilometres,” Portese told SAINTS.com.au.

“Some of the NRL boys during a game will do 1.8 to 2kms per game whereas with AFL players we’re looking at 12kms, so that’s definitely the biggest difference.”

Portese believes his work with the young players at the West Tigers will benefit  the emerging crop of Saints at Linen House Centre.

“Being able to mold the younger players and help them progress at a steady rate is a very attractive proposition. I can’t wait to get started.”

Prior to working in elite sport, Portese was an integral part of the policing unit that deals with high risk situations, working as a SWAT operator.

“In NSW it was called the Tactical Operations Unit which is also known as the SWAT unit,” he said.

This is the same unit that was involved in December’s terror incident in Sydney.

Portese said watching the drama unfold brought back memories from his time in the force.

“It would’ve been an exciting and great job to be a part of, especially since the boys I trained with would’ve been working on that, but also it was good to be safe considering I have my family to think of. It was a bit of a double-edged sword watching all of that happen in Sydney.”

Portese’s training in firearms, armoured vehicle driving and wrestle based training has him well placed to offer another perspective in the gym.

“I’ll definitely help with the strength and the power aspect, that’s where I’ll be most valuable.” he said.

“I’ll bring discipline. I don’t take a lot of crap as far as mucking around goes. There’s an element that needs to be fun, but when it’s time to work, it’s time to work.”

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