The short cut to footy's survivalAshley Browne
AFL Record Rounds 10-11
4 August 2020When the story of the remarkable and historic 2020 season is written, the move to play shorter quarters will likely be hailed as the most significant.
It's a decision that pre-dates the game being shut down at the start of the season.
It was mandated in the playing rules for 2020 back in March, when COVID-19 loomed on the horizon and a season stoppage appeared likely, but not certain.
The reduction from 20-minute to 16-minute quarters has allowed players to recover more quickly between games.
It has been a game-changer, particularly during this 'football frenzy' with matches every day and clubs playing regularly off four and five-day breaks.
Richmond high-performance manager Peter Burge told the AFL Record that the shorter quarters, which pretty much amount to a 20 per cent reduction in playing time, has aided players in their recovery between games.
"All their numbers suggest that by day three after thre previous game they feel pretty good," he said.
In many instances, teams are replacing their main, high-intensity training for the week with games.
High-performance managers have become among the most critically important people in the game as it manoeuvers through this difficult period.
Ultimately, the calls on which players can back up for multiple games in a short period rests with them.
They're the ones collating the information, which is a complex matrix of in-game data such as minutes played, the number of rotations and distances covered, with all sorts of off-field wellness measurements that take into account elements such as sleep, diet and recovery.
It also takes some honesty from the players.
"It comes out in the conversations and the numbers from the data and what they're reporting medically," Burge said.
The relocation of the Victorian clubs to Queensland has been a bonus. The Tigers are located at KDV Sport, a complex in Southport that Burge likened to a "mini AIS (Australian Institute of Sport)".
Everything they need for high performance, including a top-ranked dhef, is at their disposal.
The team was supposed to move elsewhere after a week, but the players successfully lobbied to stay there.
"The warmer climate helps and perhaps that's why they're recovering more quickly," Burge said. "It does appear that our training sessions up here have been really, really good and the weather impact, with the blue skies, the temperature and the weather adds to the mental side of things."
The downside is that the players cannot escape the club or football.
The Tigers enjoy limited movement outside their accommodation and their families are on their way to joining them, but as Burge noted, pretty much wherever they go, they're surrounded by other Richmond people.
"In Melbourne on your day off, you're not seeing anyone else from the footy club. You can really switch off. Here it's more of a challenge for everyone and it makes it a bit harder to get away from the football environment, so the mental side is challenging from that aspect."
But don't think for a moment the players feel harshly done by, nor expect any sympathy.
Knowing what's happening in their home state gives all those in the hubs the reality check they need.
"We understand to keep the game going, this is what we have to do and our families have been amazing in supporting that," he said.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/08/04/get-your-round-9-digital-afl-record/
