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Port Adelaide fitness coach praises Hinkley's influence

The wolves at Ken Hinkley's door are retreating after a 2-0 start. (Image: AFL Media)
Roar Guru
11th July, 2013
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An exclusive interview with Port Adelaide fitness coach Darren Burgess about the club’s season to date.

Port Adelaide fitness coach Darren Burgess believes a strong team unity and understanding among the coaching staff has been vital to the club’s improvements this season.

The Power was tipped by many to be a cellar-dweller of the competition, following a 14th-place finish last season.

After the completion of Round 15 they occupy eighth spot and harbour genuine hopes of securing a finals birth, with a record of eight wins and six losses.

Burgess, 38, a revered fitness guru who has worked with the Socceroos and Liverpool, said the progression on the field has come as a result of coach Ken Hinkley’s direct and clear philosophy.

“He’s got his own style that he wants the players to play and we train that way, so there’s no surprises or confusion among the players,” Burgess said.

“If they step out of line from a normal game routine he certainly tells them, and the players are absolutely aware of what their role is.”

“Half the battle of coaching AFL is making sure there’s no confusion, especially when there’s eight to nine coaches in the box where the could be a lot of confusion, but not with Ken.”

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It’s Burgess’s second stint at the club, after he spent four seasons from 2004 to 2007, and was instrumental in helping the club achieve their first AFL premiership.

He said the people connected with the club made it an easy decision to return to Alberton.

“A lot of people have said why would you go to Port after Liverpool because they’re obviously not comparable on a world stage,” he said.

“You only have to take one step in the place and see the people involved and the passion people have for the place and it’s why you come back to places like Port.”

Burgess retains a modest persona, but there’s been a dramatic increase in the playing group’s work rate, evident by the fact they’ve won 11 of a possible 14 last quarters, and produced some stunning come-from-behind victories.

“We’ve done okay in last quarters but there’s a whole range of things that go into that and it’s not all physical,” he said.

“I wouldn’t want to say we’ve won most last quarters, therefore we’re fit.”

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“I think it helps but it also depends on how the games going and how many rotations we’re doing and the positional tactics.”

In recent times ‘team culture’ has been labelled as a key ingredient for success and Burgess was full of praise for Hinkey’s influence.

“It’s no secret that’s what Ken’s tried to do and bring in a culture where the players are accountable,” he said.

“Other opposition players will look at the way we’re doing things and saying I want to play for that club.”

In terms of his own personal role at the club, Burgess has been delighted with the entire playing group’s professionalism and commitment at training.

“They’ve all been first class,” he said.

“I’ve been stunned about how receptive they all are to everything thrown at them.”

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“In terms of their ability to turn up each week and train and each day in pre-season and during the season at the highest level.”

When quizzed about any of the players who had impressed him the most in training, he struggled to give a definite answer.

“I can’t really single anyone out to be honest,” Burgess said.

“Even the younger kids like Ollie Wines, Jake Neade, Tommy Clurey and these guys just came in and got on with it.”

“There was no ‘I forgot to wear my heart rate monitor’ or anything like that, and that’s why I think we’ve got an exciting future.”

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