DEFENDER Tom McDonald says Melbourne’s upcoming pre-season camp to Maroochydore will have a big football focus, rather than just pure fitness training.
Speaking to Dee TV, McDonald said Melbourne’s camp, which runs from January 15 to 23, will be a great opportunity for the squad.
“From what we’ve been told, it’ll be a real footy-based camp – not necessarily about breaking us with just pure running or off legs conditioning,” he said.
“It’s about really improving our football work, so we’re really building up our football work.
“We’re ready to go and get four or five quality footy sessions in up there. It’s going to be hot, humid and you lose a huge amount of water every session, so it’s a good test, especially for the young guys who haven’t been there before.
“They really get involved in all of the footy sessions up there. It should be a good camp … it should be good fun.”
Now in his second week back from the Christmas/New Year break, McDonald said training had been positive.
“It’s been really good to be back,” he said.
“It was a build-up last week. They didn’t smash us too hard on day one and we built up to a really good session [last] Friday. This week is the same, going into the camp at Queensland.
“We’re slowly climbing each session.”
McDonald went back to the farm at Edenhope in western Victoria and 30km from the South Australian border.
“I had a really good break. I went back for a couple of days and saw cousins and grandparents and spent a few nights with them, which was good, because I don’t get to see them too often,” he said.
“They’re either in South Australia or a good five hours away.
“I spent time with them and also went to the beach.”
But he said the Christmas and New Year break wasn’t all about rest and relaxation.
“This year we couldn’t enjoy Christmas Day as much because we had a running session on Christmas Day morning,” he said.
“We had three running sessions and three weights sessions a week, as a minimum, for the guys who haven’t got injuries and they’re usually spread out through the week.
“Then there were some extra things like boxing or bike sessions or weights for guys like me and [my brother] Oscar, who are trying to get some strength in the off-season break.”
McDonald said his overall pre-season had been strong.
“Last year I was struggling with a bit of a hamstring issue, but that hasn’t bothered me as much this year,” he said.
“I’ve been able to do every session, which is always a good thing and you do slowly build-up.
“I’ve been really happy. I’m looking to move into some more game-like things, which makes a big difference going into the season, because we do a lot of skill work and break down drills.”
