Essendon ruckman Paddy Ryder says he expects the Bombers to be a more physical outfit in 2012.
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Ryder, into his seventh pre-season at the club, rates the preparations for this season as the hardest he has endured since being recruited in 2005.
“It has been tough. Hirdy promised us that it would be our toughest pre-season yet and it sure has lived up to it,” Ryder said.
“It is pretty enjoyable when you get down (to the club) and do the hard stuff with your best mates, then when you all come off the track you do feel good.”
Ryder said he was impressed with the performances of the club’s third year players, and expects the midfield group to continue to develop this season.
“Trav Colyer and Jake Melksham have put on some size, so hopefully they won’t be getting pushed around this year and instead they will be doing it back to the opposition,” he said
“The boys have worked hard in the gym this pre-season with a lot of the guys putting on a couple of kilos each.
“The main change I would expect is for us to have bigger bodies and win a lot more contested ball.”
Ryder also admitted he admired the work rate of Jobe Watson, saying the captain was leading the team in all areas of the training track.
“Our captain Jobe Watson has come back in pretty good shape and he is probably the one that has done the most yards on the track,” Ryder said.
“Heath Hocking has also impressed and would be up there with Jobe.”
