Cousins ups ante at training / Cruel summer training could be kind: Foley

[one-eyed]

Cruel summer could be kind
richmondfc.com.au
By Mic Cullen
1:12 PM Wed 28 January, 2009

COPING with Melbourne's current heatwave will benefit Richmond's NAB Cup preparations, according to vice-captain Nathan Foley.

Temperatures are predicted to top 40 degrees for the rest of this week, making it all the more difficult to complete a 90-minute session.

Training earlier in the day is a common measure to avoid the worst of the heat but, with the pre-season competition kicking off for two clubs next Saturday, Foley says it's something players are used to.

"It's all part of it – we've been training a bit earlier in the mornings," he said after Wednesday's session at Victoria Park.

"We head across to Perth for round one of the NAB Cup, so it's also good conditioning for that.

"It varies from week to week and where we're at as a group, how long we train for.

"Especially when we've got to go over to Perth, it's nice having that in the back of your head that you have trained in these sort of conditions and you're right to go."

Richmond meets Fremantle at Subiaco Oval on February 15 and even though bounce-down is set for 6.40pm local time, conditions are expected to be warm.

Foley said the build-up to that clash was going well for the entire group, continuing a productive summer.

"All the boys are training well, and we're lucky to have the majority of the group complete most of the pre-season training sessions, so it's been pretty successful so far," he said.

The home-and-away season doesn't start until March 26, when the Tigers take on traditional rivals Carlton, and Foley noted that round one – despite widespread scrutiny – was simply the start of a long season.

"I think when you're training all pre-season you've always got round one in the back of your mind, whether it's with the hype of [what] our game versus Carlton's going to be," he said.

"But it's important to know that there's 22 games in a year, and you can't win round one and then lose round two.

"It's important to have that focus that it's a long year."

http://richmondfc.com.au/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsid=71514

[one-eyed]

Here's some Bigpond video of Axel's interview with a brief snippet of the boys training today:

http://bigpondvideo.com/AFLTV/104352


Here's some Sportal audioof Foley plus an article as well:

http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/mediaplayer/audio/AFL/nathan-foley-tigers-in-good-shape-4440

http://sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/tigers-on-target-64002

[WA Tiger]

Well if the weather stays the same over here when the Tiges make the trip the training in the heat over there will serve them well..

[one-eyed]

Cousins ups ante at training
Martin Boulton | January 29, 2009

BEN Cousins had a shorter training session than his Richmond teammates in yesterday's searing heat, but the former Eagle has stepped up his pre-season program, according to vice-captain Nathan Foley.

Three weeks after coach Terry Wallace said Cousins was "four to six weeks away from catching up with the group", Foley said the 30-year-old had "made up a fair bit of ground" and was training well.

"He's starting to complete full training sessions and he's pretty much been doing everything the group has done in the last few sessions," Foley said.

Teenage midfielder Trent Cotchin was again absent from training with Achilles soreness, but Foley was confident he would bounce back in time for the start of the season.

"It's tough for him, he is only 18, so he's got a young, developing body and that's sometimes the case coming into the AFL system."

Cotchin, the No. 2 pick in the 2007 national draft, made his debut in round eight last season after overcoming an Achilles injury in his other foot.

"His work ethic, whether he's on the track or in rehab, is exceptional, so he'll be fine come the season," Foley said.

Foley acknowledged that the Tigers' season opener against Carlton loomed large for fans of both clubs, but said it was more important for the players to think longer term. "When you train all pre-season you've always got round one in the back of your mind. But it's important to know there's 22 games in the year … it's important to have that focus that it's a long year."

In his second year as vice-captain, the former rookie-listed player is also growing into his leadership role with new captain Chris Newman.

"We've got a pretty young leadership group now (and) it's going well. And we've got the help of 'Richo' (Matthew Richardson) and (former skipper) Kane Johnson, so they're helping us out."

The Tigers play Fremantle at Subiaco in the opening round of the NAB Cup on February 15 and Foley said yesterday's scorcher could help the team adjust. "We've got a few more (hot) days ahead, but it's all part of it … it's all good conditioning."

After the hype surrounding Cousins' arrival at Punt Road, Foley said the focus internally had quickly shifted to the pre-season competition and making a strong start when the season begins.

"The way we finished off last year we were playing some exciting football and we plan to take that into 2009," Foley said.

The club's membership has now gone past 20,000.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/cousins-ups-ante-at-training/2009/01/28/1232818534494.html

[wayne]

Sam Newman on SEN said Cousins looks in absolutely fantastic shape.