Jasper Pittard’s body is in the best shape for years as he seeks to regain elite form
New Kangaroo Jasper Pittard is confident his body is back to where it should be after a frustrating run over the past two seasons and his recruitment could prove to be almost as valuable as ex-Port teammate Jared Polec.
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NEW Kangaroo Jasper Pittard is confident he can swiftly recapture the dynamic form that saw him nominated in the All-Australian squad of 40 in 2016.
Pittard said his body was back to where it should be after a frustrating run over the past two seasons.
While the recruitment of his former Port Adelaide teammate Jared Polec has taken most of the headlines, Pittard could prove to be almost as valuable if he can slot seamlessly into a running role into defence next year and beyond.
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“I’m not going to use (injury) as an excuse but in 2017 I had a bit of an interrupted pre-season and for me, really, my best footy’s always come when I’ve had a full pre-season,” Pittard said.
“My last two seasons I’ve come off interrupted pre-seasons.
“I thought this year, physically, I actually got back to good shape, but it was about translating the form as well, which was a bit more of a challenge.
“I’m probably in the best shape I’ve been at this time of year for two or three years, so I’m really excited about that and I’m glad I’m coming to North at a time I physically feel well.”
The Kangaroos unveiled two of their star signing at Arden St on Wednesday, with Polec saying he isn’t yet feeling the pressure that will come with his lucrative five-year deal, believed to be worth $750,000 per season.
“At the moment (the pressure is) not too bad, but it is still early days,” Polec said.
“We will come to that, I will definitely feel pressure come February and March.”
“I guess … when you sign a new deal, there’s always going to be that little bit (of) added pressure.”
But Polec, 26, quickly rejected speculation of lingering issues between him and the Power: “There is no bad blood … me, Kenny (Hinkley) and Vossy (Michael Voss) still talk pretty regularly.”
Pittard, 27, managed only 11 games for Port Adelaide this year, due to injury and inconsistent form, but revealed the Kangaroos have kept an eye on him since his pre-draft interview with Brad Scott almost a decade ago.
“I talked to Brad at draft camp many moons ago,” he said. “They have always been sniffing around a little bit, but I am pretty happy they were sniffing around during the trade period.”
Both players forecast an exciting period ahead for the Kangaroos, and can’t wait to play their role at the club, although Polec is less complementary about Melbourne’s traffic.
He’s currently living rent-free in Langwarrin, but knows he will have to move in closer after Christmas, cutting off a travel time that sits at around an hour and half in peak-hour traffic.
Originally published as Jasper Pittard’s body is in the best shape for years as he seeks to regain elite form
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