Port players (from left) Alipate Carlile, Jared Polec, Robbie Gray and Chad Wingard lead the charge as the Power returns to training with a 3km time-trial. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited
THE North Adelaide parklands hosted a January showdown this morning when the Crows and Power rocked up to University Loop at the same time to run a time-trial.
As both squads returned to training from their Christmas break at the same place, at the same time on the same day, some players and officials mingled briefly before forming separate groups and getting down to business.
Adelaide players went first and starting in two waves, running a 2km time-trial which was won by skipper Nathan van Berlo from 18-year-old Riley Knight, Brodie Smith and Ricky Henderson.
The Power opted for a 3km run and players also had staggered starts, but Kane Cornes was declared the winner from Kane Mitchell, while Jake Neade won a sprint finish to be the quickest runner from the first wave.
Brisbane recruit Jared Polec showed his drastic improvement had not waned over the break by slicing more than a minute off his previous time around the course, while Jack Hombsch and Matthew Lobbe produced eye-catching runs.
Recruit Jared Polec catches his breath after crossing the finish line. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited
Times of runners in the various waves were not released to the media.
Some Port players didn't run including Brent Renouf, Hamish Hartlett and Aaron Young, but coach Ken Hinkley said they were not dealing with serious injuries.
"I wanted to see the boys come back in good shape. I knew they would and they've come back and run some good times," Hinkley said.
"I think they're a really good group, they understand that it takes hard work to get anywhere and they've come back and worked pretty hard, and you could see with their running they had a real go.
Ollie Wines does some skills work after the time-trial. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited
"I can lead the way and give them some ideas of what it should look like but they're the ones that have got to do it.
"There were some really good times run and I'm impressed with the shape they're in.
"Burgo (fitness coach Darren Burgess) sends them all away with a similar program, it's just being able to follow them.
"I was really happy for Jake (Neade), he's been back at Elliott (in the NT) and it's really hard for him because he's on his own to do all his training, and to come back and run the time he did today was really good.
Former Tiger Matt White works with his new Port teammates. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited
"Sometimes the challenges are a bit more difficult than others and Jake is one of those boys who has some bigger challenges.
"(Justin) Westhoff was again really good, his ability to run is first class, and typically you see Kane (Cornes) out the front every year and what I was impressed with was the fact that he was looking over his shoulder and Mitchell was chasing hard and I love the chase."
Hinkley described Polec's efforts as "outstanding".
"He's embraced the training methods we want to enforce at Port Adelaide and really had a crack at them," he said.
"He's fit and that's not a reflection of where he's come from or anything, it's a reflection that he's physically in good shape for the first time in three years and that gives him a chance to complete more sessions, and when you complete more sessions you get better times, it's a simple message."
Kane Mitchell shows off a new cropped haircut at Port training. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited
Crows assistant coach Mark Bickley spoke to the media before the Crows' time-trial and said he was pleased with his players' condition after a brutal week of training before the Christmas break.
"On appearance they look in good shape, we've been in contact with them throughout the break and we're pretty happy with how they are," Bickley said.
"It is really tough but it's designed for that.
"That's a heavy week (pre-Christmas) because we know they're going to have some down time in the two-and-a-half weeks after that.
"We push them really hard and by the end of it you were starting to see guys stressed with their bodies and mentally as well, they've been training hard and concentrating for that long period of time.
Crows star Patrick Dangerfield (right) warms up before Crows pre-season training resumes for 2014. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited
"This year it's Brenton's (Sanderson) third year so he's got a really good handle on what he feels we need to do, he's made some alterations to it and that's been pretty public in terms of wanting it to be a bit harder and the emphasis more on running with changes to the interchange rule."
Adelaide's star forward Taylor Walker was running at training this morning but did not do the time-trial with his teammates. He has been running about 85-90 per cent in a straight line and is about to start agility work as he tests his reconstructed right knee, eight months after it was operated on.
In a boost for players and officials, assistant coach Dean Bailey was at training this morning as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
"Dean is really well-liked around the club, he has that infectious spirit about him but obviously in times of adversity for him to come out particularly when he's going through some treatment is testament to the bloke he is and the players, they love that," Bickley said.
Adelaide players (from left) Matthew Jaensch, Brent Reilly, Jared Petrenko, Taylor Walker, Josh Jenkins, assistant coach Ian Callinan and Sam Kerridge hit the track. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited
