Fitness won’t be a problem, but the physicality of footy might be.
That’s the opinion of gun West Coast Eagles defender Brad Sheppard, who said players returning from the AFL recess might take several weeks to reacquaint themselves with the rough and tumble of the game.
Speaking to TAB Radio, Sheppard said he was patiently waiting for the AFL to announce when and how footballers could resume training with their teammates.
At present, players are only allowed to train in pairs despite the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions nationwide.
As much as he was looking forward to hitting the training track again, the 28-year-old conceded it would take some time for athletes’ bodies to readjust to taking hits following seven bruise-free weeks in isolation.
“I think from the program our strength and conditioning staff have set out for us, I feel really fit. I’ve done a really solid training block, now it’s just the last one or two per cent, which is the body contact,” Sheppard said.
“It probably takes a couple of weeks to get accustomed to wearing a few bumps and getting knocked over.
“It also depends who you run into. If I run into Shannon Hurn it probably takes a bit longer (to recover).
“It probably takes a couple weeks and then you’ll start ramping up the training to try and hit game (training) loads.”
Sheppard said he was excited at the prospect of seeing his teammates again.
However, he would not be able to see a few of his colleagues if training were to resume next week as some commentators are predicting.
At least five Eagles are currently in self-isolation after retuning from stints with their families interstate.
The defender said it would not be ideal for the quintet to miss group training sessions, but should that play out he backed them to come back firing regardless.
“If the AFL are pushing for a return date – and it seems like it’s sooner rather than later – then I think you’ve just got to go ahead and train (and) hopefully those boys can catch up,” Sheppard said.
“It’s not ideal missing any training sessions; the game is too hard now. The sooner we come back to play, if you miss a week or two it does have a bit of an impact on your training and your preparedness to get up to play AFL footy.
“Our five players, Jack Redden (being one), played round one. He’s a professional; he knows what he needs to do to get up and going.
“Hopefully he’s in a good enough spot now that when he does get the green light to return to the group, if we are training in tens, he’s not too far behind.”
