AFL star Gary Ablett hands out the drinks to Ryan Harris and Steve Smith. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited
GOLD Coast captain Gary Ablett is preparing to spend more time forward next season as the Suns try to advance their young group's midfield experience.
It has long been speculated that The midfield maestro and dual Brownlow medallist had discussions with coach Guy McKenna at the start of this pre-season about the shift, seen as a way to increase his longevity in the game.
"I'm 29, there is no doubt I'm getting older and I have got a lot of these young kids beside me,'' Ablett said.
"We have got so many of these young kids that can run through the midfield in our team, so I'm probably going to have to change my role a little bit - I'm probably going to spend a little bit more time down forward.
SUPERCOACH: IS THE GARY LOVE AFFAIR OVER?
SUNS DENY HUNT WILL RETURN TO NRL
"I'm happy to play wherever the coach wants me to play. Whatever is best for the team.
"We sat down at the start of pre-season and he just said, 'Look, I wouldn't mind you spending a little bit more time forward so we can give these younger guys a bit more experience in the midfield'.
"I'm happy with that. Wherever he wants me to play, I'm happy to run around there.''
Ablett averaged 31 disposals a game in his 21 matches last year, including a staggering 49 against Collingwood in Round 17, culminating in his second Brownlow Medal.
He has since enjoyed his toughest start to the pre-season in his time at the Suns and the skippersaid he could not be more impressed with the progress the young group had made.
"It has been a lot harder. The first couple of years, because we had such young kids, we really couldn't train them as hard as we would like,'' Ablett said. "So we have really stepped it up again this year. The boys are looking super fit."
"In January, February we are going to focus on just improving their skills and our skills as a team.
"I think we need to do that and hopefully that shows next year.''
After the Suns progressed from three wins in 2012 to eight this year, Ablett was hopeful of a finals breakthrough in 2014.
"There is no doubt I'm missing it (finals). It's been a very challenging three years going up there,'' Ablett said. "It was always going to take time being a very young side. The boys need that experience.
"As soon as we start improving that, we are going to be a better team.''
"We are improving every training session and every game. The boys have been training really well and are as fit as they ever looked. I think the skill side of things is probably the most important thing, so we are going to spend a lot of time on that.
Ablett enjoyed a sporting highlight of a different kind yesterday when he got to deliver the drinks to Australia's cricketers at the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
"It was a bit of fun," Ablett said. "I tried to carry too many bottles out and ending up dropping one, so great start.
"It was a very different experience. Really enjoyed it.''
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
Gazza's career moves forward
Dengan url
http://ikhlasngeblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/gazzas-career-moves-forward.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
Gazza's career moves forward
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar