Collingwood forward Jess Duffin says pre-season is tougher ahead of second AFLW season

COLLINGWOOD forward Jess Duffin says players will endure a tougher pre-season ahead of the second AFLW campaign now clubs have a better idea of its players, own form and opposition.

Collingwood’s Jess Duffin (nee Cameron) in action during the inaugural season. Picture: Getty

COLLINGWOOD AFLW forward Jess Duffin says players are in for a tougher pre-season than last year as preparations begin for the league’s second campaign.

The Magpies embarked on a three-day training camp in the Latrobe Valley last weekend, just a week after starting training for 2018.

The players endured early starts for running sessions before working into skills drills and team bonding exercises.

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“I think everyone learnt from the first year,” Duffin told the Herald Sun. “The men’s side of the program, they learn every year as well so, not that it wasn’t tough last year, but I think it’ll be tougher in certain areas.

“Certainly with testing and stuff like that there’s more things we’re going to be doing.”

Duffin (nee Cameron) enjoyed a big year juggling playing in the WBBL and inaugural AFLW season before marrying long-time partner Chris.

Collingwood’s Jess Duffin (nee Cameron) in action during the inaugural season. Picture: Getty

There are new challenges ahead with the level of AFLW performance set to rise given exposed form of players and teams, and Duffin is adjusting to life as a Melbourne Renegades WBBL player after two seasons with the Stars.

But while the inaugural season was a feel-good story as women finally had the opportunity to compete at the top level, Duffin believes the competition will be stronger and the desire to win greater in 2018.

“It’s not so much we want to win it more, last year we definitely wanted to win it but I think there’s more understanding of where everyone is at and the level of football ability they’re at,” she said.

“Learning about other sides as well, last season it was a bit of an unknown as to what sides are going to be like and who to look out for.

“I think everyone is even hungrier given it was so close last year.”

Collingwood has strengthened its forward line and midfield over the off-season with the addition of equal VFLW leading goalkicker and No.3 draft pick Chloe Molloy and talented former Bulldog Jaimee Lambert.

Jess Duffin trains during Collingwood's AFLW training camp as a familiar face gives chase, premiership captain Nick Maxwell. Picture: Collingwood FC

Molloy joins Duffin, Mo Hope, the emerging Jasmine Garner and Sarah D’Arcy in a potent Magpies forward line.

Duffin believes having multiple scoring avenues is now one of the team’s biggest strengths.

“‘Jazzy’ is a bit underrated if you ask me. Her ability to take park marks and lead up the ground to be a target probably goes unnoticed a little bit.

“There’s definitely a few dangerous forwards and now we’ve added a few more pieces in the midfield we’re probably one of those teams everyone is looking at.

“You saw in the last three or four games we had the game style we were playing working for us.

“I’m sure the coaches have gone away, looked at all the vision they can and come up with a new game plan for us so we’re not predictable and can bring some new things to the table.”

Duffin won’t be locked into a permanent forward role, with the 28-year-old working hard over pre-season to improve her endurance as she aims to spend time further up the ground.

Chloe Molloy was drafted to Collingwod last month. Picture: Getty

Moana Hope will be hoping for a better second season.

She had shoulder surgery this year and was diligent in her rehab to make sure she was ready for day one of pre-season, just one aspect of the elite lifestyle every Collingwood AFLW player has lived since the inaugural season.

Duffin said players kept in touch throughout the VFLW season not only to build on the connection established during the first season but to also motivate each other to maintain a professional lifestyle.

“You still see them through the VFL season,” she said. “You see what everyone is up to, how they’re playing and what they’re working on throughout the VFL season.

“We, as a group, stayed in contact a lot just to check in on one another to make sure we knew how each other were and what we were getting up to.

“Everyone loves being part of an AFL team. We know what it takes to be elite so we’ve been making sure over the VFL season that everyone was still trying to be the best AFL footballer and person in general.”

Collingwood will play Carlton in the AFLW season opener at Ikon Park on February 2.

Originally published as Collingwood forward Jess Duffin says pre-season is tougher ahead of second AFLW season