There’s no denying it has been a long and tough pre season at the Port Adelaide Football Club. Many of the senior players have stated without hesitation that this has been the toughest pre-season they’ve taken part in.

Keeping this in mind and with the premiership season now less than 10 days away, today the Power’s coaching staff decided a change of training venue would freshen up their regime.

The Next Generation club in North Adelaide was selected as the venue and the change in scenery and routine was clearly a hit with the players. Aerobics and pilates classes the order of the day, as well as weights and pool sessions.

The Power’s head fitness coach, Darren Burgess said “(It was a) bit of a reward for a hard preseason”.

Given the success of the day ‘Burgo’ also said “We’d hope at least one or two more times we’d come down here and freshen the boys up a little bit, plus a few other things that we’ll do at different times throughout the season.”

Aerobics is definitely quite removed from the ordinary for Power players and unfortunately some of them were found wanting in the class. On the flip side though, David Rodan, who has earned a reputation as somewhat of a star on the dance floor, adjusted beautifully and commanded the team’s attention with some silky aerobics moves.

Burgo was interested in the way some players made the adjustment.

“I think you can easily pick out who the co-ordinated people are, and those who aren’t so co-ordinated. Most of the guys have got into it and had a little bit of fun with it” said Burgess.

Despite being in the air-conditioned comfort of the Next Generation club the players still worked up a sweat and took benefit from the varied session.

“(The players) heart rate will be up, simply because it is a different type of fitness that they’re required to do on game day and at training,” Burgess said.