Essendon fitness coach John Quinn arranged for Michael to hook up with fanatical Essendon fan and former international 400m runner Paul Pearce who has overseen his fitness program over the past few weeks.
“Paul does conditioning work with the Queensland Roar (the local soccer team) and is a qualified fitness instructor so I asked him to work with Mal for a few weeks before he arrived at the club,” Quinn said. “I speak with both of them every few days to see how things are progressing.”
And things are moving in the right direction, according to the man himself.
“I have been working with a personal trainer Paul Pearce six days a week. Initially it was very hard work because I hadn’t done anything for such a long time but the body is felling better and becoming more resilient to the punishment,” Michael said.
“I am just glad it is all over and I really can’t wait to get involved at training. I am just relishing the thought of playing again and am just so glad I have the opportunity to play again. I am going to drive down and probably leave Friday so I will either train on Saturday morning or the following Monday.”
Essendon fans can get their first glimpse of Michael at next Monday’s training session at Windy Hill, starting at 10am.
