KEY DEFENDER Tom McDonald has started the New Year in fine style with another three-km time-trial win at Princes Park, on the back of his November effort, which started Melbourne’s pre-season campaign.
McDonald won the run on Friday morning ahead of runner-up Rohan Bail and midfielder Jordie McKenzie, who came third. Former co-captain Jack Grimes finished fourth and second-year Dee Jay Kennedy-Harris rounded out the top five. Veteran Daniel Cross was still up among the top runners, finishing sixth.
Skipper Nathan Jones did not run, due to stitches in his foot from surfing.
Ball-winner Bernie Vince said several personal bests were achieved by the Demons.
“There was a lot [of PBs] in that group. It was pretty impressive the way they’ve come back, but we expected nothing less,” he said.
“Our big focus now is that we’ve got some players that can really run and we’ve got some elite runners in our group.
“It’s just transforming them into game day running and we’re in good shape – we’ve just got to transfer them into games now.”
Vince said there was some “pushing and shoving” at the start of the time-trial, such was the competition among the players.
“Grimesy (Jack Grimes) nearly went down there, but just their competitive nature that we’ve tried to embrace over the pre-season so far has come out in everything we do,” he said.
“There are some pretty competitive beasts in our group.”
The former Crow said the players returned in good shape and didn’t indulge over the festive season.
“Everyone was pretty good [due to] the pressure of not performing when coming back – I think a lot of people had this date scratched into their diary [because] I certainly did.”
“Every time I ate something or drank something, I was thinking of this day.”
Vince said the players had “pretty specific” programs to follow over the Christmas/New Year period.
“All he (Roos) drummed into us was to follow it exactly how you’re meant to, so I everyone caught up when they could.”
“I know us [Melbourne players from] Adelaide caught up and did some running together and guys who were in Perth and all over Australia.
“You always train a bit harder, when you’re training with someone else. I tried to get together and train as much as [I] could with someone. But as I said, the expectation was to follow the program exactly as it is. Roosy expected nothing less.”
Now entering his second year at Melbourne, Vince said he was still following the low carb/high fat diet, although he gave himself “one or two days over Christmas” to enjoy the festive food.
“Christmas Day was a quiet day for me, but a lot of guys have lost of a bit of weight and aren’t losing any strength, so I only see it as a positive so far.”
“I don’t feel any less energised anyway and I’m a little bit lighter myself. Hopefully that can transfer into some good results come the season.”
Vince said the diet was set to continue, although there could be some tinkering with it around matches this season.
