ALTONA gun Jayden Post says the rigours of suburban football are greater than they’ve ever been.
The 25-year-old spent most last year travelling America after slotting 79 goals from full-forward for the Vikings in 2013.
The ex-Richmond tall didn’t miss a game for Altona after being delisted by the Tigers at the end of 2012.
But such was the need for a break that Post took a year off in 2014.
“I never wanted to miss a year off footy, but in the scheme of things, I was missing one to play for another 20 years,” Post said.
“Just with the way local footy is going, especially if you’re in Division 1 and you want to push for finals and play in premierships, it can be a big ask … a big commitment, even at local level.
“I was able to wake up and do what I wanted, when I wanted (on holiday).”
The key position utility returned from a week away last month refreshed for the second half of the season.
“I saw it pre-Christmas, there were some ridiculous sale fares and I knew we had the bye Queen’s birthday weekend,” Post said.
“$140 flight was too good — I got a few cheap massages to get the body right.”
A few hip niggles interrupted Post’s pre-season, but a string of strong performances in recent weeks suggest the playing-assistant is returning to peak form.
“My first year back at Altona, I was solely full-forward, but I’m trying to take control of the backline so it’s hard to gauge (whether I’m back to my best form),” he said.
“I’m pretty happy with how I’m going. The challenge with me as well being an assistant is to consistently play my role for the team and teach and develop the guys around me to make them better footballers too.”
Jayden Post during his days at Richmond. Photo: Michael Klein Source: News Limited
Post said the Western Region Football League was not as strong as 2013, but the competition is more open than in recent years.
“I feel it’s dropped back a little bit — Deer Park is still head and shoulders above the rest, but beyond that it’s pretty even, which is good for the comp,” he said.
“The cap and points system is only going to strengthen that.
“It’s going to prolong the competition and give everyone more of a chance.
“I think our core group of players that won the premiership (in 2012), they’re getting to 25, 26 and hopefully in the prime of their career.
“We’ve got to string together games and be more consistent to make finals.
“We’re gunning for that grand final spot (against Deer Park) — anything short of that is below expectation for us.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west/former-richmond-forward-jayden-post-key-to-altonas-wrfl-finals-chances/story-fngnvog3-1227432502657
Last Modified on 07/07/2015 16:54