And it has impressed Echuca co-coach Andrew Walker.
‘‘They have definitely put the hard yards in,’’ Walker said.
‘‘It’s been really obvious in recent sessions, just standing back and seeing the changes in body shapes and in fitness levels from some of the younger players, they’ve come back in outstanding condition, and that really sets them up to have a good season.’’
Walker puts the changes down to the club’s strength and conditioning program that has been in place in the off-season.
‘‘John Micalizzi has been working really closely with some of the younger guys in the club. He knows what the players have to do to become more football ready, and he’s done a fantastic job working with them and getting them into the condition they need to be in to play senior football.
‘‘These guys are still young, but they’ve come back from this time off and physically are starting to look like men. It’s important when the possibility of playing football at senior level is there that they can physically match it with playing against grown men.
‘‘I think it shows that these players are serious about wanting to play at senior level. They took our instructions on board and went away and did the work. It’s the kind of commitment that we expect from our players.’’
Echuca have retained their under-18 premiership players from 2018, and Walker said the group has made a major impact on the full group in pre-season.
‘‘They’ve all come back this season hungry for a bit more success, they’ve trained the house down and that is obvious to everyone around them.
‘‘They also add some premiership experience to the group. These guys played in a flag in 2018, and they know what it takes during the finals to go that extra step and get the victory come finals. Adding that to the group pushes the guys around them even further, and that will play a big role in what we want to do in 2019.’’
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