WARRINGTON Wolves are being put through their paces down under after taking part in a joint training session with Aussie rules outfit Sydney Swans as part of their training camp in Australia.
The Wolves visited the AFL side’s training base at Moore Park and took part in a two hour joint session where they spent time working on tackling technique and ball skills, as well as fitness and conditioning.
The Wolves players found the Swans’ running drills, especially the 150m shuttle run with a one-handed push-up at each end, were a killer workout on a humid Sydney day, while the Swans players found out just how hard the Wolves hit when they got out the tackle bag.
Wolves captain Adrian Morley said: “It certainly gives us an appreciation of just how fit these boys are and how much skill they’ve got. Our boys got a lot out of it. It was great to come to a different code and just experience what they do.I think the Swans enjoyed it as well, a good exercise for both teams. Some of the drills were really enjoyable and we might include them in our warm up, but we probably won’t do the 150m run throughs!
“The AFL boys are very fit and very lean. They obviously can’t do the tackling stuff we do, and we can’t do some of the things they do but it is great to have an understanding and appreciation of a different code and the Swans made us feel so welcome.”
Swans’ co-captain Adam Goodes said it was a great experience to train with a group of professional athletes from another code.
“I learnt to stay out of their way when they want to tackle you, that’s for sure. I was holding the tackle bag for a few of their boys when they were tackling, and I’m sure they weren’t hitting as hard as they can and I still got a couple through to the stomach that winded me.
“I think we stitched them up with a few of the 150m run-throughs when they had to drop down with one hand on their chest. It took them a little while to get up. But they are great competitors and great athletes and they didn’t whinge or complain they just got out there and got the job done.
“I think they appreciate the running and athleticism in our game and we appreciate the strength and the hit and the tackling ability that they have.”
Head Coach Tony Smith liks his side to experience other team’s coaching methods and last season they held a training session with Warrington Town Football Club.
Pictures show the Wolves training with the Sydney Swans.
