Emerging North Melbourne players paid their own way to Utah to get head start on pre-season training

A GROUP of emerging Kangaroos players paid their own way to the US to train in Utah for two weeks in a bid to get a head start on pre-season, as North Melbourne’s first-to-fourth-year players returned to work this week. See the training photos.

Young gun Jy Simpkin in action during the pre-season training session. Picture: Michael Klein

WHILE pre-season training only officially started for North Melbourne this week, a group of eager young players could not wait.

Four current Kangaroos along with two former teammates paid their own way to head to the United States for two weeks where they got a head start on training in the mountains of Utah.

Paul Ahern, Cameron Zurhaar, Declan Watson and Sam Durdin joined recently-delisted Alex Morgan and new Melbourne ruckman Braydon Preuss for high-altitude training in a bid to hit the ground running in 2019.

GARY BUCKENARA: I WAS WRONG ABOUT NORTH MELBOURNE

STAR FORWARD: BEN BROWN’S START TO PRE-SEASON TO BE DELAYED

TRADE REVIEW: BUCKENARA’S TRADE WINNERS AND LOSERS

Young gun Jy Simpkin in action during the pre-season training session. Picture: Michael Klein

“We went over to do some extra training and to get a head start on pre-season, which should hold me in good stead,” Ahern told the club’s website.

“It was to go over there and train in a different environment and different climate.

GUERNSEY: BLUES DUMP CONTROVERSIAL GREY CLASH KIT

“The altitude definitely makes a difference in breathing and in training, and it takes a couple of days to adapt.

“We haven’t been on too many big runs yet, but I’m hoping that when we do the time trials and things like that it will help me.”

Jed Anderson hits the track. Picture: Michael Klein

First-to-fourth-year players have been back in action on the track at Arden St this week and completed a series of drills on Friday morning.

Key forward Ben Brown was pictured watching on, his pre-season not set to ramp up until after Christmas following post-season hip surgery.

The Kangaroos meet St Kilda in their first JLT Community Series game next year on March 2.

Kayne Turner was among the players to return for training this week. Picture: Michael Klein

Simpkin works with new assistant coach Rhyce Shaw. Picture: Michael Klein

Simpkin in action. Picture: Michael Klein

North Melbourne‘s 1-4 year players returned for pre-season training this week. Picture: Michael Klein

Jed Anderson in action. Picture: Michael Klein

Originally published as Emerging North Melbourne players paid their own way to Utah to get head start on pre-season training