2015 was a season that David Zaharakis would like to put behind him.
By his own admission the talented midfielder did not perform to a level that he is capable of and will be looking to return to his very best come 2016.
Hampered by injury, Zaharakis struggled to find the consistency that would usually allow him to have an impact during the game and played in only 16 games throughout the season.
“It was only really last year that I’ll say was the worst year I’ve had,” said Zaharakis
“It was mostly because of the fact that I was injured for most of the year and couldn’t really string together weeks of training.
“It was just the most frustrating year I’ve had in footy ever since I was ten years old. I’m looking to definitely rectify that and make a good start.”
The 25-year-old has returned to the pre-season injury free and in good shape after spending two weeks training alone at high altitude in Boulder, Colorado.
Despite the team not making the trip as a whole, Zaharakis embarked on the solo trip believing that the training would pay major dividends come the beginning of the pre-season.
“I got away and did some training just to make sure my body is right,” said Zaharakis
“I didn’t have a good year with injuries this year and form, so I’m just trying to give myself the best opportunity to perform this year.”
“Because we’d been (to Boulder) before, I knew the town and exactly where to train.
“I liaised with my midfield strength and conditioning coach, Paul Turk, and kept in contact with him everyday in terms of what I was doing. I had a program to follow and just went and did it by myself.
“It has ended up paying off at the start of pre-season.”
A key part of the team's midfield group, Zaharakis has enjoyed the initial interactions he has had with new line coach Guy McKenna, seeing his experience and optimism as a major benefit to the entire team.
Zaharakis has been involved in several talks with McKenna early on, beginning to set goals and expectations for the upcoming season.
“It’s great that we’ve got new coaches in. Guy McKenna and John Worsfold are both from great coaching background and they’re both just another refreshing and rejuvenating presence around the club,” said Zaharakis
“All the midfielders are sitting down with Bluey and going through what their role is and what he sees.
“I’ve spoken to him about exactly what we want this year when it comes to the midfield and forwards.
“Everyone goes through that individually just so they know where the coach sees them and how they can help the team.”
