http://www.afc.com.au/news/2014-11-17/vb-leads-the-way
Captain Nathan van Berlo signalled has his return to fitness, taking out both two-kilometre time-trials as the full Crows squad returned to training at the Adelaide University Loop on Monday.
Van Berlo, 28, ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a freak training accident in January. The hard-running midfielder required surgery to repair the damage and was confined to a moon boot for three months. He gradually increased his training load over a period of seven months and narrowly missed out on a remarkable return to the playing field late in the season.
On Monday morning, van Berlo edged out fellow midfielders Sam Kerridge, Rory Sloane and David Mackay, and second-year rookie Jake Kelly in the first time trial. He backed up in the second trial, claiming first place from Sloane, Mackay and Richard Douglas. The Club’s 1-4 year players, who completed the testing upon their return to training a fortnight ago, were not required to complete the second time trial. Patrick Dangerfield and Brodie Smith, who are in Sydney on International Rules duties, didn’t train with their Crows teammates.
As opposed to the majority of players who dread the start of the pre-season, van Berlo was in his element as the Crows chalked up kilometre after kilometre around the city loop.
“It almost feels like a fresh start for me, personally. I didn’t play a game last season and am itching to get back out there. It was pretty tough watching the boys playing last season. I’m certainly enjoying it, even today, just being back out there with the boys,” van Berlo said.
“As a whole, the boys were great today. We were tested with a couple of time trials and the boys look like they’re in great shape. Some of the young boys, who have been back a couple of weeks, are in great condition which I think is a really good sign for us.
“We’ve got a fresh, new look about the footy club with ‘Walshy’ onboard, a few new coaching faces and a new CEO. Everyone is on edge. You’ve got a new coach to impress. It’s like the first day back at school.”
Van Berlo is 10 months into an up-to 12-month rehabilitation from his Achilles surgery.
The West Australian has met the physical requirements in order to play again, but said he would use the next two months to further condition his Achilles.
“I was very close to playing again at the end of the season. That was a bright point for me, knowing I was probably within a month of playing footy. I’ve got the strength parameters that I need, it’s just about getting a bit more conditioning,” he said.
“I’m feeling pretty fit. I didn’t have the niggles and soreness from playing games last season, so I was able to get a bit of work in during the o***eason as well as continuing to condition my Achilles. I’d be able to play footy now, there’s no question about that. The surgeons have always said it’ll take anywhere from 6-12 months before it’s back to normal.
“We’re not quite at the end of that timeframe yet, but I’m feeling really good and looking forward to a big and, hopefully, bright 2015. I’ve just got to keep on top of my maintenance exercises and make sure I’m listening to my body because it hasn’t had the workload for that nine-month period.”
Monday also marked the first day of pre-season training for recruits Kyle Cheney and Luke Lowden.
Van Berlo expected the pair to slot into the playing group with ease.
“Kyle and Luke are two great acquisitions for our footy club. They’re great lads as well, which will be great for our culture around the footy club,” van Berlo said.
“Kyle’s going to add diversity down back for us and wherever else the coaching staff see him playing. Luke is going to provide great support to our ruck division.
“Also having those two come over from a very successful environment like Hawthorn, I’ve got no doubt we’ll try to pick their brains to see what Hawthorn might be doing that we’re not doing, or things we’re doing that is comparable. It’s always good to get that ‘IP’ from one of the best clubs going around at the moment.”
It was also new coach Phil Walsh’s first time in charge of the full playing group.
Van Berlo said the respected former assistant had made a good early impression.
“I’ve loved the first conversations I’ve had with Walshy,” he said.
“Speaking to the group this morning, it’s all about team first, everyone being on the same page, high standards and attention to detail. I think it’s great and it certainly resonates with the way I like to go about my footy. I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes us.”
Captain Nathan van Berlo signalled has his return to fitness, taking out both two-kilometre time-trials as the full Crows squad returned to training at the Adelaide University Loop on Monday.
Van Berlo, 28, ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a freak training accident in January. The hard-running midfielder required surgery to repair the damage and was confined to a moon boot for three months. He gradually increased his training load over a period of seven months and narrowly missed out on a remarkable return to the playing field late in the season.
On Monday morning, van Berlo edged out fellow midfielders Sam Kerridge, Rory Sloane and David Mackay, and second-year rookie Jake Kelly in the first time trial. He backed up in the second trial, claiming first place from Sloane, Mackay and Richard Douglas. The Club’s 1-4 year players, who completed the testing upon their return to training a fortnight ago, were not required to complete the second time trial. Patrick Dangerfield and Brodie Smith, who are in Sydney on International Rules duties, didn’t train with their Crows teammates.
As opposed to the majority of players who dread the start of the pre-season, van Berlo was in his element as the Crows chalked up kilometre after kilometre around the city loop.
“It almost feels like a fresh start for me, personally. I didn’t play a game last season and am itching to get back out there. It was pretty tough watching the boys playing last season. I’m certainly enjoying it, even today, just being back out there with the boys,” van Berlo said.
“As a whole, the boys were great today. We were tested with a couple of time trials and the boys look like they’re in great shape. Some of the young boys, who have been back a couple of weeks, are in great condition which I think is a really good sign for us.
“We’ve got a fresh, new look about the footy club with ‘Walshy’ onboard, a few new coaching faces and a new CEO. Everyone is on edge. You’ve got a new coach to impress. It’s like the first day back at school.”
Van Berlo is 10 months into an up-to 12-month rehabilitation from his Achilles surgery.
The West Australian has met the physical requirements in order to play again, but said he would use the next two months to further condition his Achilles.
“I was very close to playing again at the end of the season. That was a bright point for me, knowing I was probably within a month of playing footy. I’ve got the strength parameters that I need, it’s just about getting a bit more conditioning,” he said.
“I’m feeling pretty fit. I didn’t have the niggles and soreness from playing games last season, so I was able to get a bit of work in during the o***eason as well as continuing to condition my Achilles. I’d be able to play footy now, there’s no question about that. The surgeons have always said it’ll take anywhere from 6-12 months before it’s back to normal.
“We’re not quite at the end of that timeframe yet, but I’m feeling really good and looking forward to a big and, hopefully, bright 2015. I’ve just got to keep on top of my maintenance exercises and make sure I’m listening to my body because it hasn’t had the workload for that nine-month period.”
Monday also marked the first day of pre-season training for recruits Kyle Cheney and Luke Lowden.
Van Berlo expected the pair to slot into the playing group with ease.
“Kyle and Luke are two great acquisitions for our footy club. They’re great lads as well, which will be great for our culture around the footy club,” van Berlo said.
“Kyle’s going to add diversity down back for us and wherever else the coaching staff see him playing. Luke is going to provide great support to our ruck division.
“Also having those two come over from a very successful environment like Hawthorn, I’ve got no doubt we’ll try to pick their brains to see what Hawthorn might be doing that we’re not doing, or things we’re doing that is comparable. It’s always good to get that ‘IP’ from one of the best clubs going around at the moment.”
It was also new coach Phil Walsh’s first time in charge of the full playing group.
Van Berlo said the respected former assistant had made a good early impression.
“I’ve loved the first conversations I’ve had with Walshy,” he said.
“Speaking to the group this morning, it’s all about team first, everyone being on the same page, high standards and attention to detail. I think it’s great and it certainly resonates with the way I like to go about my footy. I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes us.”
