New strength and conditioning coach

[Guest]

If he does leave he won't be alone. Strength and conditioning manager Craig Walker is understood to have negotiated an exit to rejoin the Roosters, despite signing a three-year contract extension when Brian McClennan was appointed coach.

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/league/news/...840507&ref=rss

I'm pretty sure this guy was with us in the glory years of 02-04.

[elo]

The game has come a long way since 02-04 and the Warriors have been one of the laziest and heaviest teams running around.......interesting choice.

[Burnt Rooster]

Fitness Coach

Yes, looking at the Warriors, you certainly wouldn't use them as a yard stick when it came to the stanard of fitness successful NRL clubs have to preform at, so I hope we havent pulled the wrong rein with that appointment, all I can think of, is that Cherry Mescia either wasent available, or didn't want the position with us.

[Horry]

Fitzy wanted him back

[Red.]

Yes, looking at the Warriors, you certainly wouldn't use them as a yard stick when it came to the stanard of fitness successful NRL clubs have to preform at, so I hope we havent pulled the wrong rein with that appointment, all I can think of, is that Cherry Mescia either wasent available, or didn't want the position with us.

IMO it's hard to judge the significance of the S&C coach on a team's performance in isolation.

The Warriors certainly seemed fit enough in 2011 and Mescia wasn't much help at Parramatta this year.

[fletch]

seems a bit of a strange appointment, sports medicine come a long way in the last decade, who next the cougar Ronnie Palmer.

[stsae]

WoManly and now The Boggs never look fit, blokes with guts exist in both teams.

But they play for 80.

Compare The Boggs this season to last, they physically look no different, but they play differently. They train differently also, the intensity.

Is it the intensity and type of training rather than the aerobic fitness that's different???

Melba players always talk about the intensity of training. Sure they get flogged physically (everyone does these days) but they apparently do all their sessions at game intensity.

I've never seen a good side that competes and completes look unfit. I've never seen an ordinary side that can't play for 80 look fit.

It's like the chicken and the egg thingy IMO.

Interesting topic and no one has mentioned mental fitness, a much underrated area IMO.

[Guest]

WoManly and now The Boggs never look fit, blokes with guts exist in both teams.

But they play for 80.

Compare The Boggs this season to last, they physically look no different, but they play differently. They train differently also, the intensity.

Is it the intensity and type of training rather than the aerobic fitness that's different???

Melba players always talk about the intensity of training. Sure they get flogged physically (everyone does these days) but they apparently do all their sessions at game intensity.

I've never seen a good side that competes and completes look unfit. I've never seen an ordinary side that can't play for 80 look fit.

It's like the chicken and the egg thingy IMO.

Interesting topic and no one has mentioned mental fitness, a much underrated area IMO.

stsae, I have popped down to training on a few occasions.

Watching the Dogs when Dymock and Grimaldi ran things were light years away from when Kelly Egan and co were in charge. The intensity was enormous.

One thing that really struck us when we saw the team run out for the first time at the trial in Feb, was how much leaner they looked.

The off season is critical to set up your season. In fact I think your season is determined by the time round 1 comes around.

[stsae]

stsae, I have popped down to training on a few occasions.

Watching the Dogs when Dymock and Grimaldi ran things were light years away from when Kelly Egan and co were in charge. The intensity was enormous.

One thing that really struck us when we saw the team run out for the first time at the trial in Feb, was how much leaner they looked.

The off season is critical to set up your season. In fact I think your season is determined by the time round 1 comes around.
What was interesting for us when we saw the team at the trial earlier in the season, as how much leaner the team looked.

I'm hearing ya mate, especially the intensity bit.

IMO many coaches get too hung up on size, wanting blokes to be pumped and huge, muscle wise.

More than leanness I recognize the hunger, the intensity, the eye of the tiger. The better sides have that from day one as you say, they almost walk with an air of arrogance, I guess they know theyve really put in, the results almost become inevitable.

I look at blokes like Eastwood, Kasiano, Rose and Gulavou. They are all beefy physically but their eyes and their walk show intensity.

Desmond and Bellyache sure know how to instill that quality into their players. Hopefully Easts have made their changes with similar intentions.

[elo]

Sounds like his focus will be in player rehab, not the top dog on the strength and conditioning staff.

[stephenj]

its all attitudinal? attitude is manifested in behaviour! thats ios behaviour is a direct result of attitude, self image plays a large part as well!

[roosterproud]

its all attitudinal? attitude is manifested in behaviour! thats ios behaviour is a direct result of attitude, self image plays a large part as well!

you missed out how a good attitude developes a higher level of disaplin

[Guest]

I'm hearing ya mate, especially the intensity bit.

IMO many coaches get too hung up on size, wanting blokes to be pumped and huge, muscle wise.

More than leanness I recognize the hunger, the intensity, the eye of the tiger. The better sides have that from day one as you say, they almost walk with an air of arrogance, I guess they know theyve really put in, the results almost become inevitable.

I look at blokes like Eastwood, Kasiano, Rose and Gulavou. They are all beefy physically but their eyes and their walk show intensity.

Desmond and Bellyache sure know how to instill that quality into their players. Hopefully Easts have made their changes with similar intentions.

Athleticism is critical.

Even Kasiano for a big man is quite agile, not sure how long he can sustain it. Carrying that gut is going to take it's toll.

Eastwood and Pritchard, again, for big guys are quite atheletic. I thought Pritchard had his best season yet this year, he was able to sustain his effort for 80 minutes. As a matter of interest, we sat in front of his cheer squad at the GF, there was 2 rows of what looked likely to be family and close friends. Safe to say, Frank is the runt of the litter .... but I only had nice things to say about him to them ... for my own long term health.

Will be interesting to see what they do with Tony Williams who had quite a poor year for Manly, I thought.

The other thing you alluded to is the mental side of it. That's another area where the Dogs did much more than they have previously.

[Geohood]

With Kasiano, Pritchard and Williams that's a whole lot of beast... would be a nightmare defending on the tryline with all 3 of them on the field at once. Has plenty of downfalls though so should be interesting.

[stsae]

Athleticism is critical.

Even Kasiano for a big man is quite agile, not sure how long he can sustain it. Carrying that gut is going to take it's toll.

Eastwood and Pritchard, again, for big guys are quite atheletic. I thought Pritchard had his best season yet this year, he was able to sustain his effort for 80 minutes. As a matter of interest, we sat in front of his cheer squad at the GF, there was 2 rows of what looked likely to be family and close friends. Safe to say, Frank is the runt of the litter .... but I only had nice things to say about him to them ... for my own long term health.

Will be interesting to see what they do with Tony Williams who had quite a poor year for Manly, I thought.

The other thing you alluded to is the mental side of it. That's another area where the Dogs did much more than they have previously.

Yes mate agree those blokes are very athletic for big men. It's becoming the new trend, big men with footwork and speed. Tamou is making a career out it.

Funny thing is Easts big blokes are big and athletic. I've seen Mose chase centers down. Taka set up tries like a 1/2.

But no coach has been able to convert that talent into a consistent unit as yet.

When I look at the teams I see everyone is fast, everyone has skill, everyone has size, everyone's athletic etc. Really most players now are ready with all the required physical attributes to play 1st grade.

But what makes the difference between a top 4 side and a bottom 4 side is experience and that's the mental side of the game, at least two physically freakish players and mostly a coach that can get the very best out of everyone they have available.

Mate it's so hard to pinpoint what a Desmond or Bellyache can do for a team. Even blokes who have coached with them can't always replicate what they've seen works, like Kearney.

You pricks are lucky I tells ya, well smart for getting him.

As for Trex Desmond will come up with something new I bet, will be interesting to see your pack go next season, they will be a freakish unit.