Sydney co-captain Luke Parker is eager to see what affect game-day journey has on AFL veterans as he prepares for a season that will likely be extra of a dash than a marathon.
This distinctive season will resume on June 11, having been trimmed to 17 rounds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus has sparked a stack of adjustments all through the competitors, together with a shift in direction of groups travelling interstate and returning residence on the identical day as matches every time attainable.
The earlier protocol was for sides to journey the day earlier than an interstate recreation, so the AFL might guarantee cancelled flights do not have an effect on any clashes.
“It’s going to be very fascinating for the groups that need to do the ‘fly in, fly out’ much more, how they have an inclination to tug up harm sensible,” Parker instructed ABC Grandstand.
“It would not have an effect on (younger gamers). There’s all the time the (older) boys, yeah it’s going to put extra strain on their our bodies.
“The vast majority of footballers have some type of again problem or again grievance.
“There will likely be fairly strict protocols, however that is one of many belongings you’ll simply need to embrace this 12 months.”
There are additionally fears that gamers will likely be at nice danger of harm when the season restarts, given they may solely have had two weeks of contact coaching to organize.
Lance Franklin, the oldest member of the Swans’ squad, is about to return from knee surgical procedure in spherical two.
The 33-year-old Franklin is one among many gamers who Sydney will likely be eager to handle rigorously in coming months, whereas fellow key ahead Sam Reid can also be recovering from from knee arthroscopy.
Parker has solely seen optimistic current indicators from four-time Coleman medallist Franklin, who missed the Swans’ season-opening win over Adelaide.
“He is coaching very well,” the gun midfielder stated.
“If you practice with him you realise how unimaginable an athlete he actually is, (even) off minimal work.
“He is feeling assured in himself in the meanwhile and hopefully ought to be again on the market for the primary recreation again.”
Parker, whose facet battled again from 0-6 to achieve the finals in 2017, is acutely conscious Sydney cannot afford a sluggish begin to the subsequent chapter of this stop-start season.
“You possibly can’t watch for the again half of the season to try to make up video games. As a result of the season will go in a flash,’ he stated.
“This season will likely be extra of a dash than a marathon.”
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