Thanks for reading my blog! Cripper started us off really well last week, so I’m excited to have my turn in giving you an update on my week at the Club.
Looking forward to playing for Sandringham tomorrow for the first VFL match of the season - hopefully a good show of Saints fans will show up at Trevor Barker Beach Oval for the 1:10pm game.
Monday
With the Saints this week playing another Friday night game, our week started off very similar to last week, however we had the addition of the game review from the Geelong match, which was a really interesting experience for me to be involved with.
The review was the first thing we did on Monday morning, with the full squad involved in looking over the different elements from our Round 1 match. The coaches spoke about what is needed to improve on, with them highlighting ball movement across the ground as one of the main areas that needs focus.
After lunch we all prepared for training. As it was the first training of the week the group was doing different things, with some players only doing light touch but others doing a more physical training session. Straight after the track we went inside to do a leg weights session.
When training was finished we went through the Sandringham practice match from last week against Frankston with Development Coaches Paul Huddson and Danny Ryan to review our performances. Huddo then took us through our own personal game and we got to see specific video edits from the weekend which we analysed and discussed. It was a really good way to visually see the different elements of the game and also look into our decision making while under pressure.
Earlier in the day I did a sneaky swap and moved Tommy Walsh’s favourite jacket from his locker and put it in Tom Ledger’s locker (as they are next to each other). The best bit was Ledge wore the jacket during the week, and when Tommy noticed he was not happy. Lesson for you all - don’t make a 90kg Irish man angry!
Tuesday
Tuesday was our first work day of the week. I am currently working for my dad’s distribution company helping pack and sort out stock for sending and delivery.
After working until mid afternoon I made my way into the Club for a massage and then had off-legs training with the Development Group, which was focused on goal kicking. Following this we had a light weights and bike session and I then left the Club at around 7:30pm.
It’s days like this I am glad I am still able to live at home with my parents, as I was able to get home to a nice warm dinner waiting for me after a long day - thanks mum!
Wednesday
The day started with an upper body weights session, followed by an appointment with the Club physio.
After lunch the group met and set out our goals for the main training session in the afternoon. Everyone was really focused and the intensity of the session definitely stepped up a level.
The Development Group met again after training and we started to discuss this weekend’s first VFL match for Sandringham
Thursday
Similar to Tuesday, Thursday was my second day of work for the week with my dad.
Later that afternoon we went to Moorabbin and I had another massage before touch with the boys. Following training we went to Sandringham to chat with the group there about our game on Saturday and also went through the team plan and possible key matchups.
It will be great to play my first official game for Sandy on Saturday against Coburg.
Friday
Today I will be working again in the morning (dad is a hard boss!) and then in the afternoon I will just prepare for tomorrow’s game.
One of the things the Club teaches us is to find a pre-match routine that works for you, so I will make sure I stretch and hydrate during the day and generally relax. I may go for a walk later this afternoon to get my body moving and will make sure I eat well tonight to give my body energy for the game tomorrow.
Of course I will also watch tonight’s game - really pleased for Daniel Archer to be debuting tonight and think it will be a really good game.
Go Saints!
Sam #9
