PORT ADELAIDE has passed the half-way mark of its pre-season camp on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast with players enduring a high-intensity hit-out in sapping conditions.
After Sunday’s arrival and lengthy running session, players have been challenged both physically and mentally with a combination of training sessions on the field and in the gym, along with education sessions around the game plan for 2023.
Following a running and skills session on Tuesday, players finally got to have some fun with a team-based gel ball activity, which was similar to paintball.
On Wednesday it was back to the Maroochydore Sports Complex where small sided drills opened into intense match play under the watchful eye of former premiership captain Russell Johnston and six-time premiership defender Roger Delaney, who each live on the Sunshine Coast.
Speaking after the session but before heading to the gym for weights and more running, a heavy legged Dan Houston said the group was holding up well despite the punishing schedule.
“It was very hot and very humid,” the long-kicking backman told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“We had a strong focus going into the camp, we wanted to have high quality training sessions and we did that.
“Considering the conditions being hot, humid and with the ball slipping around, the boys looked really good out there.
“It’s all about backing up and I’m looking forward to finishing off the camp strongly.
“It’s been a big week already and we’ve still got two and a half really strong sessions to come so I’m looking forward to that.”
After all the running in recent days, Houston said it was great to get the footies out.
“It’s a lot easier running when you’ve got a footy in front of you,” he smiled.
“We had a big session on Sunday the boys are still backing up after that, which is good to see.
“We’ll have another strong session this afternoon but it’s good to have a hit-out in the heat and see where everyone’s at.”
Port Adelaide last travelled to Maroochydore in 2019 where a similar camp helped the club through a challenging covid-19 impacted 2020 campaign in which it finished top of the ladder.
Given a number of changes to the football staff and playing list, the club jumped at the opportunity to bring everyone together for a week of hard work and connection activities.
Houston drew parallels to the 2019 camp and said he had enjoyed the experience so far.
“We’ve turned over about 20 per-cent of our list so it’s good to get to know the new boys as well as building on the connections we had from years before,” the 25-year-old explained.
“We’ve also got to get to know the game plan for 2023 so we’ve got a lot of good work and education sessions that we’re building on.
“It’s a really good opportunity to get everyone together. Just having meals together every day, they’re small things that build the team together.
“2019 was really solid (on the camp) and it set us up for a good year so hopefully that’s what’ll happen next year as well.”
From a personal point of view, Houston has been re-contracted until the end of 2027 in a strong show of faith in the versatile former rookie’s abilities.
After being drafted as a rookie, he has developed into a reliable defender capable of intercept marking, stepping into the midfield and even sneaking forward for a long goal.
With his sixth season of AFL football behind him and 121 games under his belt, the emerging leader was measured when asked about his goals for next season.
“I just want to build on last year,” he said. “I thought last year was a step in the right direction and I want to build on that and going on to the next phase of pre-season I’ll look to set some goals going into next season.
“I think the majority of my footy will be in defence but I can go up on the wing or pinch-hit in the midfield if I need to.”
Port Adelaide will complete its pre-season camp on Friday evening.
