Giants on fast track to success

Giants coach Kevin Sheedy is urging caution with preparing a large group of youngsters for the rigours of AFL. Source: Getty Images

A KEEN racegoer and successful horse owner, Kevin Sheedy used a turf analogy to describe the massive task of preparing his stable of young players at Greater Western Sydney.

Sheedy said that, unlike the racing industry, he did not have the luxury of allowing colts to mature.

"Bart Cummings wouldn't train 35 horses as two-year-olds for a Melbourne Cup," he said yesterday.

"He would be questioning our theory behind all of this, but that's the task we have as a group of coaches.

"Our players need to be able to do a number of pre-season training years in a row. It's very important we understand that because, if you don't do that, you won't be anywhere in four or five years. And you'll probably muck up the whole list."

The Giants and fellow expansion club Gold Coast had no alternative, but to start focusing on 2013 before the end of last season.

The Giants had 13 players suffering season-ending injuries, and the Suns 17 before Round 23.

"We've sent some out for minor operations -- not major surgery, but to get them back in time for the start of pre-season," said Sheedy,  who described the his team's debut season as a juggling act.

"We needed to get as many players as possible to 10 games or more to give them the attitude, 'I can play this game; nothing worries me now'.

"I would rather get it over and done by playing a lot of young players.

"We will recruit a little bit differently again this year as we build this list up."

Suns coach Guy McKenna said midfielder Jackson Allen was typical of the challenge between satisfying the weekly demand for success against ensuring the longer term development of his players.

Displaying early signs of osteitis pubis, Allen, 19, was ordered to rest after only one game so he would be ready for the high-altitude training camp in Arizona next month.

"There comes a cut-off point. We keep pushing him and he won't be up and running for Arizona. Then it's a no-brainer," McKenna said.
 

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