HAWTHORN recruits James Frawley and Jonathan O’Rourke have wasted no time impressing their teammates and coaches as the duo get stuck into pre-season.
During the Hawks' pre-season training camp in Mooloolaba, the pair were identified by Head Fitness Coach Andrew Russell as two players who are particularly driven this pre-season.
“(James) Frawley hasn’t missed a minute of training since he’s arrived,” Russell told hawthornfc.com.au from Mooloolaba.
“He’s a really hard-working guy who has slotted into the group beautifully, it’s like he’s been here for years.
“Jonathan O’Rourke has done almost everything since he’s come to the Club and he’s building his confidence and getting into the group.
“We’re really happy with how he’s going.”
But it hasn’t just been the new faces leading the charge on the track so far this pre-season.
Russell has too, been impressed by premierships stars such as Sam Mitchell, Grant Birchall and David Hale but says overall, it has been the entire senior group who have returned in great shape.
“We’ve got some older boys in the group but they’re not slowing down, they’re going really well,” he said.
“Sam Mitchell is training as well as I’ve ever seen him, Grant Birchall is in excellent shape and David Hale hasn’t missed a beat at all just to name a few.
“There are a lot of guys who are really moving well.”
Grant Birchall in action on pre-season camp.
Of the younger players, promoted rookie Dallas Willsmore, 2014 debutant Alex Woodward, as well as drafees Marc Pittonet and Teia Miles have impressed the Hawks’ head of fitness.
“Some of the young guys have been really good, I’ve been happy with what we’ve got out of them,” Russell said.
“Marc Pittonet has come into the Club and shown some good quality movement and training habits and Teia Miles is a really good mover who trains hard and loves the work.”
Now six days into the eight-day camp, the players have completed some tough and gruelling sessions including skills and running sessions, circuit training on the beach and weights sessions in the gym.
But there will be no let up in intensity heading into the final two days of the camp before breaking for Christmas and New Year.
Russell says this camp is all about preparing the players for the rigours of another tough season.
"Physically there's no doubt it really sets up our year,” he said.
“We want to challenge them physically, but with that then comes the mental challenge of being able to back up with high workloads, high stress on the body and fatigue because the AFL season is a tough, long, hard slog. It’s like a marathon.
“The players need to be able to back up mentally week after week after week, so this is just the start of that, backing up session after session after session.”
There are no complaints yet though from the Hawks, who appear as hungry as ever to attack another pre-season and premiership season campaign.
“They’re a group that trains hard, they train hard consistently and they love backing up,” Russell said.
“This group loves the work.”
James Frawley in action on a beach in Mooloolaba.
