From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Nick Carnell
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EVER wondered what it’s like to play VFL football? We asked Coburg captain Nick Carnell to write a diary detailing a typical week.

Here is what he came back with.

SUNDAY, JULY 5

WE HAVE just walked off Chirnside Park after a disappointing 55-point loss to Werribee.

Vice-captain Ben Clifton sums up the day: “one quarter of good footy doesn’t allow us to compete at this level”.

At our team meeting, coach Peter German is disappointed with the way we went about it as well. He highlights some keys statistics that let us down and some focus areas for our next match. Peter’s main message is we will continue to search for the right people as it is the only way we as a club will improve.

After the meeting, it is time to commence rehabilitating. Trainers, physiotherapist’s and our high performance team fill the room to ensure all players refuel their bodies and attend to any injuries. Our weights are taken to assess how much fluid we have lost throughout the game, which then outlines the amount of fluid we must replenish our bodies with over the next two hours. After this, foods with high proteins are supplied and players have ice baths and showers before after match presentations.

Monday, July 6

TRAINING is at Piranha Park and the list is broken up into three separate groups for a compulsory weights session.

The main focus for our recovery sessions is to get the body moving again and review the weekend’s match with the aim of continuing to develop as individuals and as a group. Our video edits have been are loaded on the computers in the ‘Learning Room’ and each player takes time to review their own game with their line coach. This is an opportunity for players to seek clarity on the area of their game they need to work on and for coaches to highlight any specific trends they may be finding in a players’ game.

A light running and skill session occupies 30 minutes of our training tonight, managed by the high performance team led by James McConnell. After this, it is back into the ice bath, before heading into our team review.

Peter is forever repeating that Monday night is the most important training session, as it is where we do the most of our learning. All 50 players attend to watch presentations from each senior line coach followed by a short presentation from Peter which includes several video edits.

Every fortnight, the leadership group meets.

These meetings provide an opportunity for the senior members of the team to plan and monitor the development of the playing group. We discuss the progress of each player, along with our alignment as a club with our team values. We also use this forum as opportunity to provide each member with 360 degree feedback about their leadership performance.

Tuesday, July 7

THE demands of playing VFL are becoming more ruthless. Competing against full-time athletes on a weekly basis, it is vital that all VFL players manage their time to progress their careers or studies at the same time as training to a high level. Tuesday night is a non-compulsory session, yet every player would be doing something to assist their football. Tonight I go for a light 4km run and do a weights session.

It's been a great initiative from the VFL this season.

Heres' this rounds highlights.

Which plays did you see that should have made the top 5 this week?

I'd like to send my warmest congratulations to Michael, who we know here as Robbo.

Timekeeping his 350th Frankston game today is one hell of achievement.

Aside from his long-serving contribution to the Dolphins, Robbo is a passionate follower of just about all sports, including Australian Rules travelling to Adelaide to support the crows, Cricket where he scores at Premier League, State and even national games as well as Rugby following the storm. He has travelled all over Australia to follow his passion in sport.