Jack Newnes says players will need plenty of notice before the AFL season can resume

While the AFL is still finalising a return date for the season, Carlton wingman Jack Newnes has outlined how much time players will need to be match ready.

Carlton wingman Jack Newnes.

Carlton wingman Jack Newnes believes players will need a minimum three weeks of training as a group before the AFL season can resume.

Recent declines in coronavirus infection rates in Australia have sparked growing optimism the AFL could return with a 17-game season as early as July.

Newnes said players will need plenty of notice in a bid to regain match fitness lost when the season was shut down after Round 1.

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“It’s hard to gauge but different players need different types of preparation,” he said.

“A player like myself probably doesn’t need as long as someone who takes awhile to get their body right.

“But there will probably need to be a minimum of three weeks to get back to that footy fitness.

“Because the training we’re doing now is good and probably maintains what you’ve already worked on, but you’re missing out on all the stuff that actually gets you ready for games.

Newnes said he supported the proposal of restarting the season in isolation hubs, but stressed every player was different.

“I’d be happy to do whatever, I just really want to play,” he said.

“I’d be happy to do an isolation hub, but there are different situations for different players.

“I don’t have kids so it’s quite easy for me to do something like that, whereas other people might battle.”

Jack Newnes says players will need a minimum three-week training block before they are ready to play again. Picture: AAP

The ex-Saint also threw his support behind former teammate Paddy McCartin, who has revealed he has an AFL comeback firmly in his sights

“I’d love nothing more than for Paddy to get a clean run at it,” Newnes said.

“He’s an unbelievable player and I think we all know that, but he’s just been hampered by so many head knocks.

“As long as he’s fit and healthy and it’s been ticked off by the doctors , I think he’d be an asset to any AFL club.

“He’s such a great person and he’s a really good player, so hopefully he can find a way onto an AFL list if that’s what he wants to do.”

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Originally published as Jack Newnes says players will need plenty of notice before the AFL season can resume