The Gold Coast SUNS weekly boxing session took an unexpected turn yesterday, as the players sparred with their coaches.  

Led by Head of Fitness Max Kennedy, the senior squad were taken through an hour-long conditioning session, that included circuit and high-intensity boxing exercises.

But it certainly wasn’t the usual boxing session the Gold Coasters have come to expect, instead finding a fully-padded Guy McKenna, Dean Solomon, Matthew Primus and Andy Lovell waiting patiently in the middle of the ring, ready to inflict exhaustive pain on their challengers.

GC SUNS Development Coach – Josh Fraser, who also joined in on the action, told goldcoastfc.com.au the players were quick to respond to the coaches’ full-body punches, with Michael Rischitelli just one of the stand-out performers. 

“Michael Rischitelli developed this funny look in his eye when he walked in the ring with the coaches,” quipped Fraser.

Although unfamiliar to the boxing circuit, Fraser said it was clear the players had become engaged with the physicality of the sport.

“Most of the guys have really stepped up and improved, and while I am new to the boxing side of it, they all seem to take it in well and throw their weight around, which of course can translate on the playing field.”

Given the combative type atmosphere that AFL is played, enduring physical uphill battles has never been so important, especially as the game prepares for the introduction of interchange cap rotations. 

Fraser says boxing helps counteract that.

“The competitive nature of boxing suggest you are going to wear a few hits to the body and head, which can really help transfer to game-day as well because you will have to display that ability to keep going,” he said.

“Max Kennedy has been fantastic implementing that philosophy in a controlled environment, so that they can have the confidence to cope a wack or knock to the body and move on.”

As a player, Fraser said there was no better part to pre-season training than the horizon of fully fledged football. 

And with the NAB Challenge series fast approaching, the former inaugural Gold Coast ruckman said training had become to take a more competitive stance. 

“The guys know the season is just around the corner so there is an extra step in all of them.

“Training focus has shifted – it is an exciting time.”