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Day ten of the Gold Coast SUNS Arizona altitude camp and it was back to the Skydome for Gary Ablett and his team mates after spending several days pounding the snow-covered pavement and forests of Flagstaff.
With the Sherrins packed away, the players were put to work with weighted sleds and sledge hammers in a muscle building, lung-busting session coordinated by strength scientist Chris Gaviglio.
Ablett saying that while it was shorter in duration, it was an intense session.
“They say it was a lighter session but it was still pretty tough, but yeah it was a lighter session compared to the other days and we have another big skills session tomorrow.”
The skipper impressed with the work ethic and determination being shown by the group, but wary that the final week will provide some of the most physically testing and mentally challenging moments.
“I think it’s been a pretty challenging camp but at the same time I think it’s been good for the whole group. We’ve been through some pretty tough hiking and some pretty tough sessions together and I think the boys have been fantastic. At this stage we have got five or six days to go, we’ve just got to make sure we maintain it to the end of the camp and make sure the boys all get up and work hard to the end because it’s going to help us next year.”
Restricted during his inaugural pre-season campaign with the Gold Coast SUNS, Ablett is fully fit and enjoying the altitude experience.
“This is my tenth season I think now, so things do get a little repetitive and that’s why it’s good to come up here and do something new and we’ve had some good down time as well which has been great. We’ve been able to get out and do things together as a group and as hard as it’s been I think most boys are enjoying it. We have just got to make sure we push really hard for the next five or six days before we head home.”
Arriving in Arizona a week prior to his younger team mates, Ablett made the trek to the summit of Mount Humphrey with Sports Science & Rehabilitation Manager, Andrew Weller.
The hike of Mount Humphrey was tough, there was about five or six of us who did it in the first week and I think I had headaches for the next three days and we’re doing it again with the rest of the group before we head home so that will be a really big challenge for the boys.”
Stay tuned to goldcoastfc.com.au to watch as the boys traverse the Grand Canyon and complete their Arizona trip with the climb up Mount Humphrey.
You can also keep tabs on the trip through facebook.com/GoldCoastFC or twitter.com/GoldCoastFC
