A light weekend on the calendar to allow a break from the preparation structure with a range of other activities, including the all important bonding for the first weekend of the football (AFL) finals and also international football weekend (South Korea 3 - Australia 1, sloppy Socceroos).
As the boxing group return from the warm up run through the footpaths of Preston and enter the Northside Gym, Steve barks out the instructions, a short and powerful figure who stalks the floorboards of with determination and purpose.
"Quick feet, faster, faster - hands up" in a manner part way between drill sergeant and sadist, the rhythmic sound of pounding feet drumming in unison. Lions then move to positions around the different bags with punches of varying power hitting the padding signalling the start of the twelve rounds circuit. Thin Lizzy crank up the riff on a radio dial that is probably araldited to the previous century, but as the clock slowly ticks over the 180 seconds in a round, the combatants appear blissfully unaware of the historic beats and jangles.
Buzzer sounds for round end, hit the ground for push ups and move to the next station. Session ends with chase the Ash rabbit around the bags, medicine ball carry above the head, stretch and done. Skipper Dickson takes command of the floor - outlines the 1 Day Game Plan and the individual roles of each player expected.
As this occurred, at Schramms the Lions Executive Visual Producer arranged several of the young charges to have their bowling actions recorded from front on to check technique progression and review any minor flaws that may need attention in the final phase of skill preparation. Kimberley, Watson, Ingram, McQuinn, Considine, Vardi (D) & Sherriff (big wraps from Saker here) represented the rapid leather flingers with the wily economical Wotherspoon and wristy Stewart (F) being the spinners.
Back to the other side of town, Max1 and the Greek Princess joined coach for some extra fielding drills - a solid 40 minute work out at Yarra Bend in front of the Maxwell / Sutherland Pavilion watched by an audience of several waiting for the bus to take them to a local soccer match. Scooting between cones, catching nicks, grounders and flies before finishing with some man love fly balls to take the pressure off a broken finger nail - fingers never get hurt when the ball is caught!
Later in the day, Lions gathered at Salty Dog to bond further over football (Cats & Lions win - good omen for the feline species) and beverages with the Jag covering the corner position - eyes moist with pride as the mind ticked over to what could lie ahead. Several stories will emerge over the event and post activities with Barry and MC Mad Dog Ginger along with TMcQ showing an incredible burst of pace between train stations - if only we can get that on You Tube.
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