Melbourne forward Jeremy Howe is looking forward to a big 2013. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE coach Mark Neeld and his staff have increased player workloads by another 15 per cent this summer in a bid to climb the AFL ladder.
Forward Jeremy Howe said the players virtually did a pre-season program before the actual summer slog to prepare for the 2013 season.
"Last year, they came in with a set of standards that were required and we were unable to train at that level because we weren't fit enough," Howe said.
"But through the extensive program that we did leading into this pre-season, we were able to up the ante by 15 per cent in workloads, so the boys are in great shape at the moment.
"Everyone knew it was going to be a lot tougher. All pre-seasons are tough, but it did go up another level."
Neeld has always emphasised that he and elite performance manager David Misson are into only the second of a three-year program to have the Demons physically conditioned to maintain sustained success.
The effects of that summer schedule will be measured at Melbourne's first intra-club practice match at Casey Fields in Cranbourne on Friday morning.
"Training has gone up the last few weeks in a game sense and it has stepped up again. Everyone has kind of got the bug and we're hanging out for games now. It will be good to have a solid hit-out before the NAB Cup and then that can set you up for a good year," Howe said.
"The whole group has come back in a lot better shape than previously, which has put us a lot further ahead than this time last year. I suppose like anyone, you want to be out there as long as you can and stay injury-free."
Howe, midfielder Jordie McKenzie and forward Neville Jetta shared the excitement of a new season with a class of kids when they reinforced the importance of reading during a visit to Lynbrook Primary School in Cranbourne North yesterday.
And Howe, who won Mark of the Year and was fourth in contested marks in the AFL last year, promised his trademark spring-heeled leaps and "hangers" will be on show again.
"I try not to make too many unrealistic attempts, but if I think I can have a crack at it, I generally jump at the ball. I don't know whether it's timing or what, I just imagine there's no-one in front of me," he said.
Howe, drafted from Tasmania in 2010, emphatically dismissed the prolonged tanking saga as any distraction.
"You never hear any of the boys talk about it. We've got people, obviously, dealing with it. The majority of the guys weren't even there (in 2009), there has been a fair clearout in the last couple of years," he said.
"Hopefully it's just a little blip and there's no more of those."
An interview with Thompson can't go by without mentioning former Bulldog Barry Hall and the pair's infamous stoush.
"I don't think (it's going away)," he laughs. "We had a photoshoot the other day and someone asked me about it.
"I still get frustrated a bit, sometimes just the way people talk about it but generally I laugh at it now."
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