The sprints, the weights, the sweat – life as an AFL footballer has resumed for Ryan Crowley.
But despite the challenges pre-season presents, the excitement for the new recruit remains.
“It’s quite different coming from a team that is experienced and has been around and done that – to quite a young squad,” Crowley told Triple M (Adelaide).
“They’re just really bubbly and up and about.
“It’s a really great place to be at the moment.”
Crowley was a mainstay of the Fremantle midfield for the best part of a decade.
The Dockers on-ball division was well serviced by Aaron Sandilands who went from rookie list to dominant AFL ruckman.
The Bombers will have a new-look ruck department this season with Matthew Leuenberger, Shaun McKernan and Gach Nyuon working alongside the Club's latest recruit Mark Jamar.
“The signing of Mark (Jamar) is a really big one for us because we’ve been hurt in the talls department,” Crowley said.
“He was down there doing some work with the 'mids' yesterday and he’s still a really quality ruckman.
“I’ve spoken to Aaron (Sandilands) recently and he always rated Mark (Jamar) really highly. I’m so glad we’ve got him down there.”
The Bombers first NAB Challenge match against Carlton is less than two months away.
The side has been ramping up its match practice in recent weeks with Crowley a regular feature in the midfield.
“I feel like what I can offer is a lot of experience through the midfield,” he said.
“That’s another place where we got hurt a bit by the guys that are missing.
“I’ve spoken to John (Worsfold) about my role this year and he said there will be games where I do run-with (role) but he doesn’t see me doing that all year, which is pretty exciting. I haven’t been able to do that for a while.
“We’ve got some really great young ‘mids’ down there.
“Zach Merrett – I’ve been so impressed with him. It’s funny the way you see guys from the inside. He’s been fantastic.
“Darcy Parish is going to be a really, really good young player.
“I feel like it’s just a really exciting place to be at the moment – I’m just really happy to be down there.”
