With the NAB Challenge series now under a month away, AFL Clubs are now shifting their pre-season focus from endurance training to refining football structures and game plans.
But as GC SUNS Head of Development, Andy Lovell revealed last week, the Gold Coast SUNS won’t be easing off their conditioning load, as the coaching and development staff look to gain a slight edge over their AFL counterparts.
“What most club’s will tend to do, and we’re no different, is to disguise the running in your footy drills,” Lovell said.
“So there will be a continued emphasis on conditioning, but we will certainly do a bit more of a bend to the football stuff.”
In a brand new concept developed by the AFL, the pre-season competition will take on a different format in Season 2014, with each club to play three practise matches in preparation for the season proper.
The NAB Challenge will see 18 matches play consecutively across 18 days all around Australia, with every game to be telecast live on Foxtel/Fox Footy.
The GC SUNS will get their first taste of senior football in almost six month when they meet Essendon on Monday, February 17 at Metricon Stadium, before flying north to take on Brisbane in a QCLASH sneak-up that is bound to entertain the Club’s passionate North Queensland supporters.
The playing group will then return to the Gold Coast for their final practise match against Collingwood, tightening the screws on their game plan ahead of their premiership season opener against Richmond.
With every player on the GC SUNS striving to play round one, and only 22 spots up for grabs, Lovell said the match committee would have some tough decisions to make at the selection table.
"Ultimately the goal for round 1 and the season proper is having real competition for spots and to be able to pick our best team," he said.
"The expectation on every club, which is no different to us, is to win.
"So for us if we can manage our program and not have too many injuries, that natural pressure for spots goes on.
"From there hopefully you can build some real competition and ultimately some real form."
