Fitness Manager, Joel Hocking, believes the results are a credit to the teams’ desire to kick off the 2008 season on a positive note.
""As far as our first round of speed testing goes, these were some of the best results we have had across the group in the past eight to nine years,"" Hocking said.
""The majority of players fell in between 2.8 and 2.9 seconds over 20 metres which is very, very positive for us.
""We know we have an extremely fast squad and now it is just a matter of teaching them how to use it to their advantage on the field.
""Once we get our rotations right, we will have a super quick team that can be very potent. It is just a matter of executing Matthew Knights' running game plan skilfully next year and moving on and hopefully having success with it.""
Young-gun Leroy Jetta was the stand-out performer in today’s speed and agility testing and continues to impress fitness staff since taking an extremely committed approach to pre-season training.
""Leroy has come back in the shape that he needs to be in and has come back on par with when he was performing well last year,"" Hocking said.
""Once he puts on a little more size and gets a little bit stronger, he will be able to kick on another gear and hopefully the speed will allow him to spend a little more time in the midfield next year.""
Overall, the fitness staff were impressed with the group and can sense a bright 2008 season if the team is able to continue tracking in such a positive direction.
""For our players to come back and have such positive results in the 3.2km time trial and in the phosphate recovery test last week, and follow on and do so well in their speed and agility testing has been fantastic,"" Hocking said.
""If the guys are able to continue in the same way, then things are certainly looking exciting for next year.""
