""We are into full pre-season training now, they are doing three skills sessions a week. We have a big emphasis here this year on skills and both Gary and Dean have been working very hard with them in that area,"" Essendon fitness coach John Quinn said.
""We have even been involving our injured guys into the skills so our sessions have been really good, high volume and they have gone for a fair while. I think the players are enjoying it actually.""
While a number of players are still in rehab following post season surgery, they are progressing well. Tristan Cartledge, Aaron Henneman and Angus Monfries all had shoulder reconstructions, but it is Monfries’ recovery that has been very pleasing to the fitness staff.
""You wouldn’t even know that Monfries has had it done, he has bounced back so well. Cartledge is now running and he will resume full skills next week, minus impact and Henneman is a little bit behind, he has got probably another three or four weeks of building up,"" Quinn said.
Matthew Lloyd returned to full training today after a conservative approach to a calf injury to ensure he did not have a re-occurrence, while Adam McPhee is up and running fully following his rehabilitation from an adductor release.
""I think any supporter who sees Smokey training would be pretty happy with what they are seeing, he is in great shape.""
Essendon fans would also be encouraged by the progress of Adam Ramanauskas, who is now only a couple of weeks away from completing his rehabilitation from an early season knee reconstruction.
""We are at a stage now where he is jumping and sprinting, and he is changing direction pretty sharp. I’d say at the most he is two weeks from full training and skills with everybody else. So his rehab is pretty much complete,"" Quinn explained.
