The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS players headed back to Blacktown yesterday to kick off the club’s first ever pre season training campaign.

GIANTS Sports Science manager John Quinn said that there was an excited feeling around the club as all the players were tested in the club’s brand new gym for the first time.

Innovative off season training techniques from the GIANTS sports science department allowed the club to monitor players closely during the off season and ensure that they returned in good physical condition and are ready to hit the ground running.

“Its an exciting day for the club.

“We’ve got our new recruits here but we’ve still got all of our new draftees to come so we’ll be recreating these tests again in another couple of weeks.

“The main tests we did today were just basic measures like skin fold, height and weight, just to see what they’ve been up to and if for example they’ve been over eating during the break.

“We did some performance tests as well like speed, agility, strength and endurance. There are also medical and physical screenings taking place over the next couple of days. We basically have a look at where they are right now.

“The aim is that when it comes to their training, we can get the maximum amount possible out of players.”

Quinn was thrilled with the condition of the predominantly young playing group when they returned after an eight-week break.

“The players have come back in great condition so now we can focus on their fitness for footy.

“Rather than spending between now and Christmas getting them fit to train, we can now get them fit to play and I think that’s a big difference.”

By using individual GPS units, the GIANTS Sports Science staff were able to track the training and development of each player over the off-season. Quinn said that this monitoring has helped staff to keep a close eye on players and ensure that they returned in good shape.

“They’ve done really well over the break. They all had a gun and heart rate monitor that also works as a GPS unit so we’ve been able to monitor them.

“I can type in to the computer a name and have a look at the session that they did, how far they went, how fast and even have a look at a google map and see the route that they took.

“It’s been almost like Big Brother monitoring their training. They couldn’t tie it on to a dog either because it would go too fast.

“We’ve rung them and gone around and visited the players in their homes over the last eight or nine weeks. Everyone has kept a reasonable workload going.”

Quinn said that although the GIANTS know that there is a long way to go before their 2012 AFL debut, there is a high level of excitement about what is to come in a club that is already forming a strong identity.

“I think it’s a really good feel about the place and everyone is really excited to be here.

“It’s a club that’s taking on a personality and a life all of it’s own. We’ve only been here for a few hours today but I can see that this has a very distinctive character and a great one at that,” Quinn said.