NORTH Gambier returned to training at Vansittart Park on Thursday night, with players completing their first session since the 2020 Western Border Football League season was shutdown in March.
Football teams have been allowed to train in South Australia since May 18, but the Tigers waited an extra fortnight until contact was permitted.
North coach Justin McConnell said the session was worth the wait after his playing group enjoyed rubbing shoulders again.
“It was a really positive step forward,” he said.
“There was lots of excitement and the enthusiasm levels were through the roof.
“When you have had something taken away from you for a while, you miss it, so to get back out there and enjoy it again was great.”
McConnell said the team loved it so much they continued well past the scheduled finish under the setting sun.
“We probably went a bit longer than we planned to because it was such a magic evening,” he said.
“It had a finals-like feel with perfect weather and the ground was in really good condition.
“So we thought to try and maximise those conditions because you do not normally get them at this time of year in Mount Gambier.”
The extra time allowed the Tigers to achieve a lot more than anticipated.
McConnell said he did not plan to implement contact drills, but after a strong start, he could not resist the urge.
“We originally planned for a purely skill-based session,” he said.
“But after around 45 minutes the guys were doing it pretty easily, so we decided to ramp up the competitive stuff and get into it as soon as we could.”
This decision reflected the positive impression the team left on McConnell.
He said each player exceeded all expectations after a long break.
“The way the guys trained was way ahead of what I thought they would have been skills, fitness and enthusiasm wise,” McConnell said.
“Their approach could not be questioned.”
Off the field, the setting did not appear to be like a normal training session.
There was not a supporter in sight with only key personnel in attendance.
McConnell said the club ensured it met all the protocols before jumping into on-field action.
“We used a get in, get out training policy, which was hard in some respects because the guys have not seen each other too much,” he said.
“We had our COVID officer there, who basically dictated where everyone parked and came in.
“Only one person could go into the trainer’s room at a time to get strapped.
“We adhered to it well and hopefully it is not in place for too much longer.”
Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, McConnnell did not believe the environment was the strangest part of the night.
With this year’s season anything but a certainty, he said there was an uneasy feeling going home with no battle ahead on the weekend.
“There was a little bit of an empty feeling towards the end when you finish a good session and there is no game to look forward to,” McConnell said.
“It was a bit weird because we do not know if we are training for a season this year or next year, so there is a little bit of uncertainty.
“But that is the climate we are in at the moment.”
