Promising Richmond tall utility David Astbury is thriving throughout a full pre-season campaign, following a frustrating injury run over the past couple of years.
Astbury, who has battled a dislocated kneecap, a hip injury and hamstring trouble, was fit and firing from the start of the Tigers’ preparation for the 2013 premiership season.
“From day dot it was all pretty intense. We had a few changes in our fitness department and so they were all keen to get going, so we were straight into it,” he told the “Ararat Advertiser”.
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“For about a month we did some really solid training in Melbourne and then in late November/early December we had a nine-day camp in Cairns, which was all about heat acclimatisation. That was an experience, with the heat and humidity it was really tough going.
“We’ve come back now (from the Christmas/New Year break) and everyone is raring to go.”
Astbury has spent time both back and forward during his three seasons so far at Richmond, and that versatility looks likely to remain part of his game for the time being.
“I have sat down with Damien (Hardwick) a couple of times during the pre-season and, to be honest, neither of us really knows what area I am better suited to,” he said.
“So, I am training at either end at the moment and really enjoying it. Hopefully, I find my spot in the NAB Cup and impress enough to get back into the senior side and be able to enjoy a big season in 2013.
“I haven’t set too many goals just yet. I’m pretty much just trying to get on top of my body and get my head around pre-season training.
“I am just looking at getting through each session and I’ve been doing a lot of one-on-one work with Justin Leppitsch, who is our defensive co-ordinator. We have been focusing on a lot of overhead stuff and it is going really well.”
Astbury sees the upcoming AFL pre-season competition as an ideal opportunity for him to make an impression in the Richmond side.
“The NAB Cup is just around the corner now and I am expecting to get some good minutes in those games and, hopefully, stake my claim for an early call-up at the start of the season,” he said.
“We’ve got a game against the Indigenous All Stars on February 8 in Alice Springs, which will be a good lead-in to the NAB Cup for us.
“I am really looking forward to getting up there for that and playing against some of the country’s most talented Indigenous players.”
The 21-year-old said the off-season arrival at Tigerland of several seasoned AFL performers from rival clubs had provided the playing group with a significant boost.
“The first thing I have noticed when training with more mature-aged blokes is how competitive it is, even at training,” he said.
“Everyone is vying for a spot and not many guys are certain starters this time around. A few years ago we probably had more of a set team, which was fairly similar each week, but with the new guys coming in it is more competitive and that is a really good thing.
“There is a lot of expectation on to secure spots come the start of the season. I think it’s great for the Club.
“The new blokes have all fitted in really well and we are going into this year feeling pretty optimistic about our chances.”
