It was business as usual as the GIANTS returned to pre-season training with midfielder Tom Scully blitzing the 3km time trial on Monday morning.
It was a strong field with Monday being the first day back for the majority of the playing group. With only the 1-4 years back at the club prior, 22 players ran the time trial in the oppressive Sydney heat.
Scully won the test by almost half a lap at Tom Wills Oval while it was a race for second with new recruit Tendai Mzungu pushing defender Adam Tomlinson right to the end.
They swapped the lead multiple times during the final lap before Tomlinson, returning for his sixth season in the AFL, pipped the former Fremantle utility at the post.
Fellow Docker recruit Matt de Boer came in fourth with reigning Kevin Sheedy Medallist Toby Greene rounding out the top five.
“We know it comes up first day of pre-season every year and it’s nice to get it out of the way,” Scully said.
“I think all the guys ran really good times and obviously I’m happy with my own time but it was good to see guys like Tendai Mzungu and Matty de Boer impress on day one.
“They’ve come in with really hungry appetites and it’s certainly driven some of the other boys to run really good times as well.”
INTERVIEW: TOM SCULLY AFTER HIS 3KM WIN
The elite runner dominated from the start but Scully said he had no issues pushing himself to go faster out the front of the pack.
“There’s no doubt it’s a challenge for everyone running the race but I guess individually you just want to run to the best of your ability and obviously we’ve all got target times to hit,” Scully said.
“It’s hard but my appetite is as strong as ever and I love challenging myself and getting better every time. I love the challenge and love to keep improving.”
The full playing group are now back at the club, much later than usual after making finals for the first time in 2016. They’ll put in an intense three weeks of training on the track before breaking for Christmas.
“It’s obviously a bit unique, it’s the first time we’ve been in this position - starting a bit later - but from all signs everyone’s come back in really good condition,” he said.
“Everyone’s really hungry after last year. We know we’ve got to improve in a lot of areas and I think we’ve put in a good start to the pre-season but it’s a long one and it’s an even longer year.
“We’ve just got to time our run really well and continue to work hard and try to improve.”
Dylan Shiel missed the time trial with a minor heel complaint while Steve Johnson returned to the club after surgery on his thumb tendon last month.
The GIANTS have just ticked over 9,000 members for the 2017 season and there’s never been a better time to get on board - Visit membership.gwsgiants.com.au.
3km Time Trial - Top 10
1. Tom Scully
2. Adam Tomlinson
3. Tendai Mzungu
4. Matt de Boer
5. Toby Greene
6. Stephen Coniglio
7. Josh Kelly
8. Adam Kennedy
9. Matt Buntine
10. Devon Smith
